Paul Warne on his decision to drop Freddie Ladapo from his matchday squad at Rotherham United Yorkshire News

The restless striker is eager to leave the Millers, having submitted a transfer request that was accepted in January.

Despite that development, no club came on for the 28-year-old during the winter window and the former Plymouth Argyle leader has remained involved in the Rotherham first team, scoring 15 times in this period.

Ladapo’s contract expires in June, although he has an additional 12-month option that the club could activate between now and June.

Warne, whose second-place team visit Sunderland on Tuesday, where a win would put them on the brink of automatic promotion, said: “I just didn’t select him to be in the squad. I have to pick a team and substitutes. Other players haven’t been in the team. I just decided to change it.

“It’s him and Angus (MacDonald) who missed out. I know we have some injuries. But he wanted to bring Georgie (Kelly) into the fold, which is a positive.”

“JJ (Josh Kayode) has done well. I didn’t want to have more defenders on the bench, although I think Angus’s (MacDonald’s) world, so I chose two forwards.

“I could pick two different ones Tuesday night and next Saturday, but they’re the two I picked to back Smudge (Michael Smith). I’m happy with my decision and I’ll stick with it.”

As to whether Ladapo was at the stadium and whether he participated in the club’s gratitude lap after the match, he commented: “I haven’t seen him. It doesn’t mean he’s not here.”

“But I haven’t seen it, no.”