Rotherham boss Paul Warne is wondering whether Newcastle United may send midfielder Dan Barlaser back out on loan to see how he can handle the rigours of Championship football.
The 23-year-old is waiting to see if he is included in Steve Bruce's final 25-man squad - which will be named later this month - after he started the 1-0 victory over Blackburn in the EFL Cup earlier this week.
However, with Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, and the Longstaff brothers also vying for a role in the middle of the park, Barlaser may find his route to first-team football blocked.
Warne had Barlaser on loan last season at Rotherham as the Millers were promoted from League One. Barlaser played a vital in that promotion, and Warne is keen to take him back to the New York Stadium.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Rotherham's clash against Millwall this weekend, Warne was again asked about Barlaser, and shared a theory about the midfielder.
“I am making no bones about the fact that I want to sign him, but I also sincerely want him to play for Newcastle," he said.
"I do not want him to come here with a broken heart thinking this is a bad second place.
"We will have to watch his space. They might extend his contract and then loan him out and say, ‘Right, come up one level’.
"In fairness, he has had two brilliant seasons, but League One and the Premier League are like two different sports.
“I am not speaking on behalf of Newcastle, but they might think he needs a season in the Championship, or they may just keep him in the building and see how it goes.
"I don’t really know and I don’t want to push a door that has not got a latch on.”
