Rotherham United midfielder eyeing return from injury

Missing man Kian Spence could return to Rotherham United's matchday fold when the Millers head to Northampton Town this weekend.

The 25-year-old is back in full training after being out of action with a calf injury.

There is a possibility he may be joined by fellow midfielder Jamie Jellis, who has also been nursing a calf issue, but the inclusion of the summer signing in the squad is less likely.

"Kian has trained today, so we'll have to see where he's at," boss Alex Bruce told the Advertiser this afternoon. "Jamie's still dipping in and out of certain things. Kian's ahead of Jamie. He has more of a chance."

Rotherham head to Sixfields Stadium knowing that a win would embellish an encouraging start to the League Two season and probably push them into the top half of the table.

The presence of Spence among the substitutes would be a boost for the Millers as he had been one of their top performers before sitting out the last two matches.

Jellis, aged 25, who joined the club after leaving Walsall, was excellent in pre-season but hasn't featured since the opening-day clash at Cheltenham Town on August 15.

"Both of them are close, Bruce said. "We'll have to see how they train tomorrow and then we'll make a decision on them."

Rotherham are well-stocked for midfielders and also have Brandon Cover, Josh Austerfield, Ossama Ashley and Jayce Fitzgerald among their options.

Meanwhile, centre-back Dominic Iorfa became the 16th summer signing when he joined the Millers as a free agent this week and he may be handed an instant debut against a Northampton side one spot below the 16th-placed visitors.

"He's available, so we'll have to see if he starts," Bruce said of the 31-year-old defender who has spent most of his career in the Championship.

"I'm very tempted, with the qualities that he brings. You see him in training, he's a good player. I'm really pleased we've got him. I think he'll give us something a bit different."

The head coach will soon learn of the length of his punishment from the FA after being sent off for pushing Bristol Rovers number Paul Raynor at the Memorial Ground on September 5.

Bruce knows that a touchline ban is coming his way but doesn't know how many matches it will encompass.

"I'm waiting to hear," he said. "I think it might be later on today, maybe tomorrow."