Rotherham United manager Matt Hamshaw is hoping the departure of Martin Sherif allows him to do some transfer business early.

The Millers need a morale boost after dropping into the League One relegation zone over Christmas, ending 2025 with five consecutive defeats.

Centre-forward will be a priority, with Rotherham not getting enough out of those up front in the first half of the campaign.

Jordan Hugill has kicked off 18 League One matches in 2025-26, but no other striker has managed more than five starts for the Millers. Hugill has two of Rotherham’s 22 league goals this season. Only bottom-of-the-table Port Vale (13) have fewer.

For all his obvious talent Sherif was one of those who struggled with injuries, playing the full 90 minutes only once, on his debut against Wigan Athletic. That was only one of two games he scored in.

In five starts in all competitions, he was substituted twice at half-time, and against Swindon in the FA Cup he came off the bench, only to be substituted because the game went into extra-time.

His last Millers appearance was against Luton Town in November.

Parent club Everton have therefore cancelled his season-long loan at the earliest possible opportunity.

DISCUSSIONS: Matt Hamshaw (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

placeholder image — DISCUSSIONS: Matt Hamshaw (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

Hamshaw is now looking to do business, which is likely to be in both direction.

“If it's the right business, we'll try to do it early,” he said.

“I've spoken to all of the players and said: ‘Look, if you feel like you're not getting the minutes, if you feel like you need to go and play games, come and speak to me and we'll see if we can get to a resolution.'

“I'm not going to say that there's 100 per cent definitely going to be ins and outs, but the high likelihood is that both will happen.”