‘We will be bidding’ – Rotherham not given up on keeping Town loanee Moore

Keiffer Moore in action for Ipswich Town. Photo: �INPHO/Ryan Byrne

The 6ft 7in striker has scored 13 goals in League One, with Blues boss Mick McCarthy having made it clear he will be activating a recall clause in January.

Moore was signed from National League side Forest Green Rovers for £10k last January and made 11 substitute appearances for Town before joining the Millers.

“I can see him coming back one of two ways,” said Warne, whose side are 10th in the third-tier table.

“One; we bid the most, obviously. Two; they choose not to sell him in that the value of the bids for him do not match their expectations.

“They might then say: ‘Right, you can keep him on loan until the end of the season.’

“I think, potentially, we could keep him. The positive part of my brain thinks it will happen. The pessimist in me thinks maybe not so.

“I’m hopeful, but I wouldn’t put my life on it.”

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He continued: “Yes, we will be bidding. That’s definite. I’ve had the conversation with the chairman.

“It’s crazy to think I wouldn’t want him. He’s been the highest scorer in England. He’s a great kid. He’s still at a good age. I think he will still improve.”

Moore is currently serving a three-game suspension for punching an opponent, with Warne adding: “We’ve missed him in the last couple of games.

“Because we’ve picked up points, everybody thinks: ‘Hey, there’s life after Kieffer.’ I don’t look at it like that.

“I think we would have been better if he had played. I will do everything I can to try to keep him. But if the figures go out of our remit, that’s the way football is.”