Dan Barlaser 'competing' to be in Newcastle United's first-team squad against West Ham

Rotherham boss Paul Warne would like to sign Dan Barlaser and has been keeping tabs on him

Rotherham boss Paul Warne would like to re-sign Dan Barlaser but believes the midfielder is in contention to be part of Newcastle United's first-team squad for the Premier League opener against West Ham on Saturday.

Warne saw first hand the talents of Barlaser as the Gateshead-born midfielder helped Rotherham achieve promotion to the Championship last season.

It was that loan spell which persuaded Steve Bruce to present Barlaser with a chance to prove himself in pre-season, and the 23-year-old has done just that - and Warne is waiting to see whether his counterpart picks the midfielder this weekend.

"You'd be very surprised to know I do like Dan Barlaser, but as we speak at the moment he is still a Newcastle player.

"I am led to believe he is competing to be in the squad this weekend so until I know anything different, we can't proceed with anything.

"Even if we did bid for him, I presume there would be a line of people bidding for him and I don't know if we'd be at the front. I haven't spoken to Dan, I haven't spoken to his agent, I am just watching this space.

"I don't like speaking about players at other clubs, but it is not the world's best kept secret that I really like Dan Barlaser. If I get a phone call off his agent or Newcastle saying he is available and asking if I want to speak to him then I will definitely speak to him.

"But at this moment in time, I'm trying to be sincere, if he stays and gets into the Newcastle squad I would be absolutely buzzing for him because I know that's what he wants to do. There could be a chance we could get him if it doesn't work out for him but at the moment it doesn't seem that close."