Brave Reece James about to do it again for Rotherham United

The defender who has been operating as a wing-back has been hit by a series of injuries but on every occasion he has come speeding back into the side.

He is about to do the same on Saturday at Exeter City after taking a bang to the ribs in Tuesday night's 2-1 League One triumph over Northampton Town that was so severe that he had to spend time in A&E following his half-time substitution.

“‘Jamo’ is fine,” said Hamshaw when asked today if the 32-year-old would be available for the long trip to the south west.

James has been one of the Millers' most consistent performers despite the battering his body has received.

“He's been excellent,” said his manager. “I think that not enough gets said about him. There are a few players who go under the radar and he's one of them.

“He's played through kind of everything this season - broken ribs, facial injuries, a broken cheekbone. You name it, he's had it, and yet he keeps rolling out.

“They're the players you want in that dressing room, the ones you want in a battle. Fair play to him, he's always ready to go. He's a good player, and we need our good players fit and firing.”

James played with a protective mask on his face for a spell earlier in the campaign when he suffered his cheekbone damage.

The news on Marvin Kaleta as Rotherham seek to make it three matches without defeat in their bid to escape the bottom four is less encouraging.

The summer signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers has been restricted to 18 appearances by a number of ailments and is expected to miss the Grecians clash.

The wing-back, aged 22, had to be replaced in the first half against Northampton after his latest bout of misfortune.

“He's got a kick to his ankle so he could be struggling,” Hamshaw said.

Midfielder Kian Spence was taken off in the 73rd minute of the Cobblers contest as he eases back from an absence caused by a calf problem and the boss described the 25-year-old's withdrawal as “precautionary”.