Steve Evans has said that Joshua Kayode's unavailability for Carlisle United is not down to Rotherham United.

The new Millers boss has commented on the situation which has seen loanee Kayode ruled out of Carlisle's last two games of the season.

Blues manager Paul Simpson said Kayode is "unavailable" but declined to give any details why.

Reasons of "confidentiality" were behind his inability to say more, Simpson told the News & Star this week.

Evans, who last week left Stevenage in order to rejoin Rotherham for a second spell in charge, denied that it was his or his club's decision for Kayode not to play for Carlisle in last weekend's game against Wycombe Wanderers or this weekend's final match of the season at Derby County.

Asked by the Rotherham Advertiser if the Millers had led the move to keep 23-year-old Kayode from playing, Evans said: "No, far from it.

"I'm sure when the season has finished for us next Saturday, on the Sunday or Monday Simmo and I will be talking and he will give me a Carlisle United point of view.

"We'll make an informed decision as to how we go forward with it.

"Everyone should want to play football. There may be reasons I'm not privy to at the moment."

News and Star: Joshua Kayode has made just four appearances in an injury-ravaged seasonJoshua Kayode has made just four appearances in an injury-ravaged season (Image: Richard Parkes)

Kayode recently returned to fitness after a seven-month injury nightmare following shoulder and calf problems.

The striker has been limited to just four appearances for Carlisle all campaign after joining on a season-long loan on September's transfer deadline day - his third loan spell with the Blues since 2020.

Simpson on Thursday said Kayode was still with the club but would not be featuring in the squad at Pride Park on Saturday.

Evans said he will discuss Kayode's future in due course at Rotherham, who are preparing for League One next season following their relegation from the Championship.

"I've not caught up with Simmo at Carlisle yet. I've focused purely on the mainstream players and staff who are here," added Evans.

"I have spoken to the kid [Kayode] briefly just to introduce myself. I've tried to nick him on loan a couple of times myself in the past.

"There is a connection. I had his number in my phone. We'll sit down each and every one of the players the week after next. He'll be part of that process.

"We'll outline where we see his future from our point of view.

We want to understand what he's thinking and what he's going to do. Does he fit in as part of a promotion-challenging group next season? That's the discussion we'll be having."