Richie Smallwood won’t be returning to former club Rotherham United in the January transfer window.

The midfielder is yet to appear for Rovers in a matchday squad this season, with both of his appearances coming in the Carabao Cup against Oldham Athletic and Sheffield United.

The 29-year-old has six months left to run on his deal at Ewood Park signed in the summer of 2018, but Rovers are unlikely to stand in his way should an offer be forthcoming.

One possible destination for the tough-tackling midfielder was a return to the New York Stadium where he played 133 times between 2014 and 2017, including a promotion from League One.

Smallwood was an ever-present in Rovers’ 2017/18 promotion campaign, quickly becoming a fans favourite, but he has made just seven Championship appearances since his red card at Sheffield United in December 2018.

The Millers, sitting third in League One, had been linked with Smallwood, however, reports in south Yorkshire suggest that is wide of the mark.

Having not featured for the Rovers first-team, Smallwood has made four appearances for the Under-23s this term, most recently in the Premier League International Cup win at Newcastle United.

He has fallen down the pecking order at Rovers following the emergence of Lewis Travis, and the summer signing of Bradley Johnson from Derby County.