Rotherham United want decision from defender amid Derby County interest

Rotherham United want to try and keep Michael Ihiekwe at the club beyond this summer and into next season – but the player has yet to decide on his future and Richie Barker has told The Star the club need a decision soon.

The defender was a first-team regular this season, as the club sealed another promotion back into the Championship. He was a mainstay in their backline and made 42 league appearances, even chipping in with three goals and three assists along the way.

He proved to be arguably one of their most solid players over the course of the campaign – and with the side now eyeing second tier football and trying to prepare for the next campaign, they have been keen to tie him down to a new deal.

However, there is interest from elsewhere in his services. Derby County, who themselves have just headed in the opposite direction and are now looking towards at least one campaign in League One, have an interest in signing the 29-year-old.

Despite the Millers being able to offer Ihiekwe Championship football if he stays on though, he has yet to commit to the side and agree to the new terms in his fresh contract offer.

That means he could be considering a switch elsewhere and potentially to Pride Park and to the Rams. Now, with the transfer window set to get underway and Rotherham wanting to make signings, assistant manager Richie Barker has told The Star he will try and rush the player for a decision over his future. That means we could see a decision over where he will play next season soon.

It seems though as if they are prepared for the worst from the centre-back.

Speaking about the player, Barker said: “That’s another one where in the next few days we’re going to have to say, ‘Look, mate, if it’s a ‘no’ and you want to