ROTHERHAM UNITED manager Leam Richardson remains hopeful that the club will be able to bring in some new signings ‘sooner rather than later’ after seeing two loanees return to their parent clubs this week.
Wolves recalled Dexter Lembikisa amid claims that the Midlands club is mulling another loan for the highly regarded right-back, with other Championship clubs expressing interest in his services.
According to reports on Friday, SPL side Hearts are leading the race to sign the Jamaican international, who played 27 games for the Millers in 2023-24.
Meanwhile, injury-hit attacking midfielder Fred Onyedinma has headed back to Luton Town, having also signed on a season-long loan last summer alongside Lembikisa.
Onyedinma has not played since injured himself during the warm-up before the game against Hull City at the end of November.
Richardson, whose side faces Stoke City on Saturday, said: “We’re working hard to bring in new players. Rob (Scott) and the recruitment team are working extremely hard to add to the group.
“We need bodies, and we need a specific type of player to help us with the difficulty we face. Fingers crossed that we will be able to reach some sort of conclusion in the following days.
As a coach or manager, you want to have a large group of players to work with.
“Sometimes it’s beyond your control. Other clubs have decisions to make. We’re in the same race as everyone else, and we’re doing everything we can to reach some conclusions and give value to the group.
“I’m precisely like them (fans): eager to get things done and bodies into the building. Numerous conversations have taken place. Fingers crossed that we can get people in sooner rather than later.
On the exits of Lembikisa and Onyedinma, he continued: “First, I want to thank both players for the time and effort they put in while wearing a Rotherham shirt, and I appreciate their parent clubs for allowing them to come across
“With Wolves, they summoned Dexter back with the intention of enhancing him and advancing his career in any direction they saw best for him.
“He’s been a terrific person since he arrived here.
“With Fred, it’s simply terrible that he has these ailments.
“He picked up another injury which will see him out for some weeks and after discussions with the player himself – which is the most important – and the club, I think it was the best all around that we freed that loan space up to hopefully add to the squad where people can help us in the here and now rather than in seven or eight weeks time.”
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