Lincoln City v Rotherham United: Brogan in wake-up call from Millers chief Moore

League Two: RONNIE Moore has warned Rotherham United's players to prepare for a life in non-league football if they are released next summer.

The Millers have a dozen players fighting for new deals, including defender Stephen Brogan, who has failed to get back into the side since recovering from a broken leg.

Manager Moore says Brogan needs to be 'more professional' while others will have to work harder in order to secure a future with the League Two promotion chasers.

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"We have 12 players out of contract in the summer and they should all be bursting blood vessels to prove their worth," said Moore.

"After all, where they are going from here? Certainly not Real Madrid!"

Referring to Brogan, Moore said: "Whether habit or not, Stephen still has a limp after the injury. He has been told to come in early on a morning and get his leg moving. Sometimes he does it. Sometimes he doesn't.

"It is no good me fining him," added Moore.

"If he wants to waste his career, that is what will happen. He needs to be more professional. If he is, hopefully we can take him forwards."

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The Millers visit Chris Sutton's Lincoln City today and Moore is full of praise for the way the former England and Chelsea striker is setting about his career in football management.

"It is fantastic that Chris has come down the league to learn his trade," said Moore.

"He was a fantastic footballer, there is no doubt about that, but a lot of the so-called Premier League big boys want to start (management) in the Championship or the Premiership.

"Chris has done it the right way and will be a better manager for it because he will know what it is like to work down at this level. He also puts a shift in, he is not a manager 'by name.'

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"I have seen him watching reserve games, he doesn't sit on his backside, he is looking to improve. I have a lot of respect for him and I have no doubt he has got a big future in the game."

The Millers are fourth in League Two, six points adrift of the automatic promotion places, but, importantly, still have two games in hand.

Lincoln, who salvaged a 1-1 draw at bottom club Darlington and are 20th with a nine-point cushion over the bottom two, have had former Millers striker Delroy Facey recalled by parent club Notts County.