Ryan Leonard has been a player who has been around the Football League for around the past eight or nine seasons, and his Millwall career has got off to a good start despite injury.

The former Sheffield United midfielder originally signed for the Lions last summer on loan before making his move permanent in January, and he has been an important figure in the centre of that midfield for the time in which Neil Harris was in charge before his resignation last month.

Leonard suffered a knee ligament injury last month in the win over Leeds United, however he nears a return to action under new manager Gary Rowett with a return to training just a matter of weeks away.

From the centre of the park, Leonard has proven that he has what it takes to be combative and be a real force in the middle of midfield with consistent performances he's turned in over the years.

While he may not be a goalscorer from the midfield, he can bring a lot more to the game in terms of being able to keep possession and dictate the tempo of the play as well as challenge hard for the ball with a fearless attitude that has seen him rise up the leagues.

Having only scored 29 goals in his career, Leonard provides an air of calmness to the midfield and can get forward if he has to, however his main job is to play a playmaker role from deep as he looks to get the ball out to the wingers or in behind the defence for the forwards.

Leonard is a different option to what Millwall currently have available in their midfield department, and Rowett will be hoping that the all-rounder can work his way back to fitness without suffering any injury setbacks.

Millwall are currently in Championship mid-table mediocrity and are just one point off of pushing themselves into the top half of the table, a position that the Lions supporters and board would be happy with considering their squad and budget.

Leonard still has a big part to play for the Lions this season and is expected to be a regular under Rowett to help keep possession and be a calm head in midfield, while also helping out with the defensive side and making Millwall's midfield hard to get past.

The 27-year-old has the right attributes to be effective this season for the Lions, and Rowett will be desperate to get him back out onto the pitch before New Year.