ROTHERHAM United are handing a chance to a young player who has just left a Premier League club to stake a claim for a contract at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
The Millers are in need of a goalkeeper and shot-stopper Max Thompson is training with them following his release by Newcastle United.
The 6ft 4in 21-year-old arrived at Rotherham's Roundwood base earlier this week and the club want him to return after the weekend.
"He trained yesterday for the first time," said head coach Alex Bruce after last night's 1-0 triumph over Parkgate in the opening summer friendly. "We'll be looking at trying to get him in again next week to have more of a look at him."
Thompson never made an appearance for the Magpies but went out on loan on three occasions to gain senior experience.
He made 20 appearances for League One Northampton in 2023/24, had 21 outings with League Two Chesterfield in 2024/25 and played 10 times for Scottish Championship side Ayr United last season.
While with Rotherham, he will work under the experienced Richard Hartis whose Millers appointment should be confirmed soon.
"It will be announced, I'm sure," said Bruce. "Yeah, he's on board. He's the goalkeeping coach and he's been a big help. I'm looking forward to working with him."
Hartis, who includes two stints with Manchester United on his CV, has been at Roundwood for more than a week.
Rotherham need a second keeper as the only senior one on their books is Ted Cann.
Newcastle-born Thompson wasn't involved against Parkgate, but a trialist who did get an opportunity to impress was former Hull City man James Furlong.
The left-back/wing-back, aged 24, is looking for a new club after a short spell in Slovenia with Maribor and played for more than an hour.
"He's come in for us to have a look at him for a week or two," said Bruce.
Furlong, who was born in Dublin and played for the Republic of Ireland youth teams, didn't make first-team league breakthroughs during stays with Brighton & Hove Albion or Hull and joined Maribor last February.
In 2023, he made 16 loan appearances for Scottish Premiership side Motherwell while with Brighton and then played 30 times for League Two AFC Wimbledon during a temporary switch from Hull in 2024/25.
Meanwhile, Bruce never had any major worries that Ossama Ashley would come to New York, even though it took more than a week to finalise the one-year deal for the midfielder that went through yesterday.
"I think I was reasonably comfortable with it," the head coach said. "There were a few things going on. It was a free transfer, so he's had a bit of interest from elsewhere. I think he wanted to explore a few options. I'm just pleased we've managed to get it done in the end."
The pair were together at Salford City and Bruce was keen to land the 25-year-old despite the player's chequered fitness record.
"I've worked with Ossama for the last couple of years," he said. "He had a very, very good season, not last year, the year before. I'm looking to get him back to those heights. I know what he's capable of, it's just a case of getting it out of him.
"He's a combative midfield player. He's a defensive midfield player who does the ugly things well. He gets around the pitch, he puts his foot in, he gives you a physical presence. He'll give us something a bit different in the middle of the park and I'm looking forward to working with him again."
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