MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder Richie Smallwood is set to join Rotherham United on an emergency loan deal today and could make his second Millers debut against Watford tonight.

Smallwood spent the second half of last season on loan at the New York Stadium and Rotherham manager Steve Evans has been keen to re-sign the 23-year-old after he played a pivotal role in helping the Millers win promotion to the Championship.

It is understood Boro rejected an offer for the Redcar-born midfielder earlier this summer, but he is now set to join on an emergency loan deal ahead of tonight’s league match at home to the Hornets.

Rotherham remain keen to make the deal permanent for the Boro academy graduate, who now finds himself well down the pecking order at the Riverside behind the likes of Grant Leadbitter, Dean Whitehead and Adam Clayton.