Impressive new boy Kian Spence on life so far with Rotherham United

Running.

After an injury-affected start to his time at AESSEAL New York Stadium, summer signing is beginning to make a real mark on the Millers' campaign.

The midfielder was the fastest man in the Roundwood Mile during pre-season testing and is now covering the ground in League One combat with a lightness of gait and an aerobic capacity that none of his teammates can quite match.

Luton away: he never stopped. Reading away: he never stopped. Wycombe Wanderers at home: he never stopped.

”I'd say my base is the Luton game and how I played in that,” said the 24-year-old who was man of the match on that November 15 afternoon when Rotherham held one of the promotion favourites to a 0-0 draw despite being depleted by a multitude of injuries.

“I think that that's something I can always control, I can always perform in that way. That's how I was when I was younger and I can go into every game and make sure that I do those bits.

“I'd say that, whatever position I play in, running energy is my main asset. I want to show that and use that for the team. I

“It's slightly different playing a little bit deeper because it's more about recovering and getting across the pitch. Higher up, it might need sharper bursts. Whatever I'm required to do, I'll try to use that strength that I've got.”

The Harrogate-based player was part of an excellent recruitment campaign in the last transfer window, snapped up as a free agent as he sought to test himself at a higher level following two standout seasons in the fourth tier with Barrow who would have loved him to have signed a new deal at Holker Street.

Severe blisters on his feet curtailed his pre-season programme, he was then ruled out by a hamstring problem and he has had a couple of other niggles. Only since October has he become a fixture in the side.

“It's been a mixed bag for me, very frustrating at times,” he says of his early days in a red-and-white shirt. ”When I've been out on the pitch, I've really enjoyed it.

”I've been proud of how I've performed over the last few weeks. And I'm happy to say that I think I've contributed towards the team's results. I'm pleased that the last couple of months have been positive.”

He and Manchester United loanee Dan Gore have struck up a wonderful partnership – two players small in size but big on impact. Both can do things with the ball, both have plenty of ‘dig’ without it. No opponent has a comfortable game against those two.

“Yeah, it's good playing with Gorey,” Spence said. “I think we complement each other quite well. He's a really good player, he's shown that this season.

”He's a good lad, he's a funny lad. I'm mates with all of the lads, but, yeah, Gorey is funny. I get along with him well.”

Gore has a bit of feistiness about him in games, in training and in the dressing-room banter. ”Yeah, that's why he's funny,” his teammate grinned.

Rotherham have climbed from 23rd in the table towards the play-off reckoning despite a casualty count that has often stretched into double figures and has shorn them of strikers and centre-halves.

After his previous issues, Spence has kept himself fit and says he and the other available men in Matt Hamshaw's group pay little heed to the injury situation when they cross the white line.

“It doesn't really affect us,” he said. “It's just one of those things. You know how your own body feels and you focus on that.

”Most of the lads have played for long enough to know what it's like to play first-team games, what it's like to play minutes. You kind of just know how to manage your weeks, how to manage your way through games.

“And then it doesn't really matter what the rest of the squad or other lads are like, you're just managing yourself.

“We're all good players here. All of us think we should be playing. If we are the ones who are playing, then we should be happy and make sure we prove we're worth our place.”

The former Middlesbrough youngster, who found his way into regular EFL football via non-league Halifax Town, is a key figure for the Millers these days.

His endeavour has made him a crowd favourite and and, more and more, his other qualities are also coming to the fore.

There's the ‘worldie’ goals, those perfectly-struck corners that are whipped in with such deadly precision, his ability to spot and that bite to win tackles and be the first second balls.

“The little bits of quality in possession and little bits of quality in front of goal, they're added things that I can produce in moments in some games,” he said. “When I do that, I think it just elevates me to another level.”

Agreed.

But, really, it all comes down to one thing …

Running.