Rotherham United defender Billy Jones set to sign extension deal

The 33-year-old joined the Millers in July 2018 and played 12 times for the club last season in all competitions.

Rotherham United began building for their return to the Championship by signing Mickel Miller on a two-year deal on Sunday.

The Millers are back in pre-season training after their promotion from League One was confirmed via a points-per-game method.

United have been locked in discussions with Jones and goalkeeper Lewis Price about extending their respective stays in South Yorkshire, with Price an "elbow tap" from agreeing a new deal.

Price only appeared in five games for the Millers last term but Warne hailed the pair's influence off the pitch as one reason for keeping them at the club.

"It is not a complicated chat, they are both brilliant lads and brilliant in the dressing room, they are a big part of our culture," said Warne.

"Billy has agreed to re-sign and me and Lewis are just an elbow tap away, there are no dramas there.

"Although they didn't play a great part last year, what they do away from the pitch on a Saturday is a massive part to our success."

The Millers manager is keen for loan stars Dan Barlaser and Daniel Iversen to return to South Yorkshire next season, with the pair currently training with their respective parent clubs Newcastle United and Leicester City.

However, Warne is not sure if they will be made available to him for next season and insists the loan market will be "imperative" for his side as they seek to establish themselves in the Championship.

He added: "You can see the teams who have done well this year, did well in the loan market. Coventry did well in the loan market and our loan players really played a big part.

"It is a good way to get a better player in but without the cost, that is the truth of the matter.

"The Premier League seems to hoard the best players around the country to an extent and then loan them out for some development.

"We need to strengthen our team, quite obviously. We need a lot of competition for places and a bigger squad than we have probably ever had."

Miller was the club's first signing of the summer transfer window but Warne feels he will need at least six more players to build a strong enough team to survive in the second tier.

However, with the Championship and Premier League season not set to finish until later this month, recruitment decisions for Rotherham may have to wait.

"There is no point getting people in who are not going to challenge to start games," added Warne.

"We have to get our loans right and get the best people we can but we are going to have to be patient."