Alex Bruce on the chances of Rotherham United action for Kane Richardson

Young winger Kane Richardson is being backed to step up and perform if he is handed a place in Rotherham United's first team following his recall from a non-league loan.

With Fabio Tavares and Marvin Kaleta in the treatment room, boss Alex Bruce is concerned about the lack of numbers on the flanks as he bids to lead the Millers up the League Two table.

Teenager Kane Richardson's displays with North Ferriby in the Northern Premier League East Division - the eighth tier of English football - have been so impressive that the head coach has brought him back into the fold.

"I'm a little bit light in wide areas," Bruce said. "I haven't got many options."

Richardson, a second-year pro following his graduation from the club’s youth ranks, was in the squad for Tuesday night's home draw with Newport County but didn't make the final 18.

The Geordie actually sees himself as a left-back, but he has done much of his best work in an attacking role, and he caught the eye with a lively cameo as a substitute against League One Bradford City in the Jersey Mike's Trophy at AESSEAL New York Stadium this month.

Youngsters can play in that tournament even if they are having temporary non-league spells away from their parent club.

Richardson is only 19, with just four senior Rotherham appearances behind him, and Bruce will take that into consideration when he selects his squad for Saturday's visit of Shrewsbury Town and other future games.

"I have got to be mindful that we've got a lot of young lads with a little bit of inexperience in certain areas," the boss said. "It's about getting the balance right. I know Kane and what attitude he's got and what he is like as a lad. I know if he's called upon he won't let us down."

The Millers led 2-0 through Paul Mullin and Aaron Nemane strikes against Newport before gifting the opposition two goals in a 2-2 draw, and Bruce saw it as two points dropped rather than one gained.

"It was an opportunity we didn't take," he said in his post-match press conference. "I feel like every supporter who was there tonight. You go 2-0 up and you throw it away. I'm really disappointed with the outcome considering the leg up we give ourselves. But we need to take the positives from it and take it into Saturday now.

"We scored two goals and there were a lot of good individual performances. Aaron Nemane played really well and took his goal well. I thought Jayce Fitzgerald in the middle of the pitch got on it. Joe Rafferty coming back into the team gave us a little bit of experience. Dominic Iorfa is getting better the more he plays."