Rotherham United boss Paul Warne on pursuit of Dan Barlaser

The 23-year-old enjoyed an excellent loan spell in South Yorkshire last term before returning to his parent club, with the Millers keen to bring him back.

The Gateshead-born player has impressed in pre-season for Newcastle, but with a year left on his deal on Tyneside, it remains to be seen if he has a long-term future at St James' Park.

On reports linking the Millers with a renewed move for Barlaser, Warne said: "You'd be very surprised to know I do like Dan Barlaser, but as we speak at the moment he is still a Newcastle player.

"I am led to believe he is competing to be in the squad this weekend so until I know anything different, we can't proceed with anything.

"Even if we did bid for him, I presume there would be a line of people bidding for him and I don't know if we'd be at the front. I haven't spoken to Dan, I haven't spoken to his agent, I am just watching this space.

"I don't like speaking about players at other clubs, but it is not the world's best kept secret that I really like Dan Barlaser. If I get a phone call off his agent or Newcastle saying he is available and asking if I want to speak to him then I will definitely speak to him.

"But at this moment in time, I'm trying to be sincere, if he stays and gets into the Newcastle squad I would be absolutely buzzing for him because I know that's what he wants to do. There could be a chance we could get him if it doesn't work out for him but at the moment it doesn't seem that close."

Alongside a midfielder, the Millers would ideally like to bring in a number ten option and an additional striker, but Warne is not expecting any imminent movement.

Warne, who reports no fresh injury problems for the club's Championship opener at Wycombe, said: "Nothing is imminent. At the start of the week, I was pretty confident that I might have one or two new players in before the weekend, that hasn't been the case so hopefully something might happen next week.

"As always I never know until I know. I am ever hopeful.

"I think in the last week there will be a lot of last-minute moves, loans, transfers, everything but at the moment it is still reasonably quiet. Even my phone is quiet, it has dropped off with agents."