4 players Rotherham United consider scouting ahead of the January transfer window

•  Rotherham United have had a disappointing start to the season and are currently facing another relegation battle in the Championship.
•  Manager Matt Taylor has been let go after a 5-0 defeat to Watford, and the team has only won two out of their first 16 games this season.
•  Rotherham should consider scouting defenders Matt Clarke and Michael Ihiekwe, as well as striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, to strengthen their squad in January.

It has been a disappointing start to the season for Rotherham United in the Championship.

The Millers secured survival in their first year back in the second tier last season, but it looks set to be another relegation battle for the club this campaign.

Rotherham parted company with manager Matt Taylor on Monday after the 5-0 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, with the 41-year-old departing after 11 months in charge at the New York Stadium.

The Millers have won just two of their first 16 games this season, and they currently sit 22nd in the table, four points from safety.

Championship Table (As it stands November 13th)
	Team	P	GD	Pts
17	Swansea City	16	1	19
18	Birmingham City	16	-3	19
19	Plymouth Argyle	16	0	16
20	Coventry City	16	-2	16
21	Huddersfield Town	16	-14	15
22	Rotherham United	16	-17	11
23	QPR	16	-16	10
24	Sheffield Wednesday	16	-20	6

Taylor’s replacement will undoubtedly be keen to strengthen the squad in January, and we looked at four players that Rotherham should consider scouting ahead of the transfer window.

1Matt Clarke

Clarke joined Middlesbrough from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, but it has been an incredibly frustrating time for the defender at the Riverside Stadium.

The 27-year-old was a regular following his arrival at the club, but he sustained a back injury last October which kept him out for over a year.

Clarke has been on the bench for Boro’s last five games, but it could be tough for him to break into the team ahead of the likes of Dael Fry, Paddy McNair and Darragh Lenihan.

There is no doubt that Clarke is an excellent defender at Championship level having starred for Derby County and West Bromwich Albion previously, and he could add solidity and resilience to the Rotherham back line.

Clarke will be keen to play regularly to build up his fitness, and the Millers are in need of defensive reinforcements, so it could be a move that benefits all parties.

2Michael Ihiekwe

Another defender Rotherham could consider in January is Ihiekwe, who controversially left the club to join Sheffield Wednesday last summer.

Ihiekwe enjoyed a successful five-year stint with the Millers prior to his move to Hillsborough, helping the club to promotion from League One on three occasions, as well as proving to be a reliable defender in the Championship.

The 30-year-old was a regular for the Owls last season, but he has struggled for game time so far this campaign due in part to injuries, making just four appearances in all competitions, and he is yet to feature under new manager Danny Rohl.

Ihiekwe may need to build bridges with Rotherham supporters, but contributing to survival would surely fix that relationship.

3Jonson Clarke-Harris

Rotherham are the fourth-lowest scorers in the Championship this season with just 15 goals to their name, so bringing in a striker will likely be a priority for the new manager.

Peterborough United striker Clarke-Harris was the joint-top scorer in League One last season with 29 goals, and he has netted seven times in 20 appearances in all competitions so far this campaign.