Rotherham United and the bid to keep star man Cameron Humphreys on the pitch, the time frame for Ben Wiles' comeback and a fitness update on Peter Kioso

KEY man Cameron Humphreys is caught in a game-by-game battle to keep playing his part in Rotherham United’s Championship survival run-in.

The centre-half has been in outstanding form as the Millers have lifted themselves to 18th place, four points clear of the relegation places with a match in hand.

However, a knee issue described as “long-term” is threatening his place in the starting 11 as Rotherham try to nurse him to the end of the campaign.

“We hope we can get him there,” manager Matt Taylor said. “His knee swells up after games, some times worse than other times. We know what causes it: he’s got a defect. He’s had injections over the course of the season. It’s a long-term problem.”

The summer signing’s continued participation is even more important as three of the club’s other central defenders, Sean Morrison, Grant Hall and Bailey Wright, are all sidelined for the final six matches.

“We don’t want to lose Cam, do we?” Taylor said. “He’s barely training at the moment. We’ll keep on assessing him. With all the other injuries that have happened around him, he’s been a mainstay for us.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Ben Wiles returns to full training today after missing three and a half months through ankle surgery.

Saturday’s clash with Luton Town and Tuesday’s visit of promoted Burnley will come too soon for him to feature but he may be a contender for the trip to Bristol City on April 22.

“He’s had one training session with one of the coaches and now he’ll join in with the group,” Taylor said. “We can get a week’s work into him and find a way of getting him back in the fold.”

Right-back Peter Kioso has recovered from an ankle knock but missed out on the matchday 18 for Easter Monday’s 0-0 draw at Norwich City.

“With Wes Harding playing the way he has been and Lee Peltier on the bench, I chose not to select him,” Taylor said. “I want to be aggressive with the bench and not load it with defenders.”

The Millers, on a three-match unbeaten run, head into the AESSEAL New York Stadium contest against third-placed Luton with the manager warning that the fight for safety is far from won.

“The situation (at the foot of the table) will change in an instant,” he said. “It always does at this time of year.

“We have had three positive performances on the bounce and have conceded only one goal, which was a penalty, so we are certainly pleased with where we are at. But we have to keep backing it up with more performances.

“We are looking forward to being at home. Four of our last six games are there and that will ultimately decide where we finish.”