Rotherham United suffered their fifth League One defeat in a row on Monday. RUFC were defeated by Blackpool for the second time this month after conceding seven goals in two games against the Seasiders.
One surprising omission from the Millers matchday squad was loan defender Thomas Holmeswho has featured in each of the past four games.
Paul Davis of the Rotherham Advertiser the manager questioned Matt Hamshaw over the absence of the defender on loan from Luton Town, although the boss remained tight-lipped.
Hamshaw stated: “All will be revealed.”
A follow-up question about whether the 25-year-old could appear in a Rotherham United shirt again resulted in fewer words from the boss, who replied: “We’ll see.”
Holmes was due to spend the entire 2025/26 League One season in South Yorkshire with the Millers, but it is believed a clause is available for the defender to return to division rivals Luton Town.
Thomas Holmes on loan at Rotherham United
Holmes’ loan spell at Rotherham United started in the greatest possible sense from a defender’s perspective.
After arriving at the summer deadline, the centre-back saw action a week later against Exeter City, where he was crucial in a 1-0 win, keeping a clean sheet and being named Man of the Match.
However, that would be the first and last time Millers fans saw the loanee for more than two months after he suffered an injury on his debut. He returned at the end of November, making only his second appearance for RUFC in a 1–1 away draw against his former side Reading.
Although Rotherham United are yet to win a game in the league after making a full return to the side.
Thomas Holmes’ Rotherham United stats
| Games | Clean sheets | Minutes played |
| 8 | 1 | 377 |
Crucially, Holmes was responsible for Rotherham United’s recent defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day. A lack of concentration on the ball saw the hosts capitalize and score a winner in extra time.
What next for Rotherham United and Thomas Holmes?
There is a good chance that Holmes’ loan move will be ended and his return to Luton Town will be officially announced at the opening of the January transfer window.
Hamshaw’s Millers have struggled defensively in recent weeks and will most likely enter the loan market again to secure a replacement centre-back.
After a disappointing end to his loan spell at Rotherham United, LTFC may be reluctant to integrate Holmes back into their squad and could approve another temporary move.
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