After a dark winter, there suddenly appears to be some overdue light on the horizon at the AESSEALÂ New York Stadium. Whisper it gently, mind.
The Millers sanctioned four pieces of incoming business on Monday.
Although perhaps the most significant development surrounded something which didn’t happen with star striker Sam Nombe staying put, despite late-window speculation.
Nombe and January arrival Harry Gray were the only fit forwards prior to Monday at Rotherham, who have boosted their League One survival fight with successive wins.
An early deadline-day blow saw Swansea City loan attacker Bobby Wales move to Huddersfield Town as opposed to the Millers, but manager Matt Hamshaw successfully switched targets to save the day.
A deal to sign experienced frontman Duncan Watmore, 31, got over the line, with the former Middlesbrough player penning a deal for the rest of the season.
Watmore, who left Millwall at the end of last season, had a trial with Sheffield Wednesday earlier this term and had been training at Stockport County.
Watmore’s arrival was followed by the loan addition of Manchester United and Wales Under-21 international forward Gabriele Biancheri, 21. He links up with fellow Red Devils loanee Dan Gore.
Cardiff-born Biancheri, who has previously trained with Wales’ senior squad, is in the mix for a debut at home to his hometown club, where he spent time in the academy, on Saturday.
The Millers also completed a successful beat-the-deadline swoop to sign Aston Villa left-back Lino Sousa on loan.
The former England youth international, also 21, has spent previous temporary stints at Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers.
Rotherham now have five loan signings on deck. Five are allowed in a match-day squad.
There was still time for a sixth and final arrival of the winter window in the shape of Leicester City full-back/midfielder Brandon Cover, who spent loan spells at Port Vale and Fleetwood last season. The 22-year-old has joined on a permanent basis.
One exit saw centre-half Sean Raggett, who is out of contract in June, head to Cambridge United on loan with his Millers’ career now effectively over.
