Leam Richardson admits Rotherham player may depart…

Rotherham United manager Leam Richardson has confirmed that Wolves have the power to recall in-demand defender Dexter Lembikisa, who has been linked with Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough, Norwich City, and West Bromwich Albion.

The 20-year-old joined the Millers on a season-long loan deal in the summer and has been a regular under former manager Matt Taylor and now Richardson, appearing 27 times in all competitions and playing over 2,000 minutes of game.

But Lembikisa’s short-term prospects have been thrown into question. TEAMtalk reported in late December that a number of Rotherham’s Championship opponents were interested in loaning the defender for the second half of the 2023/24 season.

According to reports, Blackburn, Ipswich, Boro, Norwich, and West Brom have all discussed a potential January deal with Wolves, who are willing to recall him and loan him out to a team higher up the second tier table.

Wolves can call him back, if they wish.

On Friday evening, Lembikisa held his own in a 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat to Premier League side Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Speaking to Football League World after the game, Richardson was unable to provide any assurances concerning the right-back’s future and stated that his parent club had complete control.

When asked about the Jamaica international’s future, he stated, “I prefer not to speak about individuals.” He is a Wolves player; if they want to call him back, they will.

Richardson stated that he hoped to hear great news about incomings soon.

He stated: “This period, this month, elicits emotion in everyone. Every football club, every player. We’re no exception; we’re working hard to add bodies and quality to the group that we have because we need them moving forward.

“We represent ourselves extremely well everytime we take the football pitch, no matter who the opposition is, but we’re very aware we are low on numbers and we need quality adding to the group.”