Steve Evans Reveals Rotherham United Stance On Sheffield Wednesday Striker

Evans is preparing for his first full season in his second stint as manager at the New York Stadium after replacing Leam Richardson for the final three outings of last season’s dismal Championship campaign.

Rotherham continued to adhere to the outside stereotypes of being a ‘yo-yo’ side after being sat rock-bottom of the second-tier table for a large proportion of the campaign having eventually been overtaken by the Owls, who masterminded an eventual relegation escape under the guidance of Danny Rohl.

However, optimism has somewhat been restored among Millers fans after a raft of new incomings who bring a wealth of League One experience, as Evans looks to emulate his success of 10 years ago in this part of South Yorkshire.

But, if Rotherham are to mount yet another promotion bid in League One, they will be doing it without the acquisition of their former striker.

Steve Evans rules out Michael Smith, Rotherham United reunion amid Jonson Clarke-Harris claim

Smith made the switch to his current employers on a free transfer in 2022 after the expiration of his contract with Rotherham, despite the club winning promotion to the Championship, a season before Wednesday would rejoin their Yorkshire counterparts in the second tier.

His involvement as a starter in S6 has decreased over time, with the striker also being the subject of loan bids in the previous transfer window from Derby County, before it was reported that the Owls were “demanding an excessive fee in return.”

Smith went on to score four times in 34 Championship appearances last term, which included a double against his former employers which secured his side’s first win of the season on October 29th.

Evans has since revealed his admiration for the 32-year-old but has ruled out a potential reunion at the same time amid claims that the club have already made the best transfer out of any League One side this summer.

“I love ‘Smudge’ (Smith),” he told the Rotherham Advertiser. “He was brilliant for Rotherham United, a handful against my teams when he played against them.”

“But we’ve had the best League One signing of the whole transfer window in Jonson (Clarke-Harris).”

“People went on holiday, I went to work. That’s what you need to do if you’re going to build a team that wins things. You don’t go on holiday in May,” Evans stated in reference to the acquisition of Clarke-Harris, which was completed on May 15th.

“Would I love Smudge in the squad? Yeah,” he continued.

“But we’ve a good balance. We’ve got Clarke-Harris, we’ve got Jordan Hugill, we’ve got Sam Nombe, we’ve got Asapa Osong and Joe Hungbo can play up there – he’s got great feet and is a very talented boy.”

“It’s nothing to do with finances,” the Scot declared. “We’ve never picked up the phone to Michael.”