Hull City v Millwall team news with 5 doubts and 10 outs as Alex Neil teases midfielder's return
Alex Neil is hoping to have one of his long term Millwall absentees available against Hull City.
Millwall can strengthen their position in the play-off places with three points over Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
Depending what happens between Leicester City and Middlesbrough in the Midlands, Alex Neil’s side could move up to third and just one place off the top two, should they get the better of the Tigers.
Hull City have their own play-off ambitions and will be looking for a response after midweek defeat to the Tractor Boys. LondonWorld has your team news.
Hull City team news
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic fears that he may be without the services of club captain Lewie Coyle for the meeting with Millwall. The 30-year-old hobbled off in the first half against Ipswich Town in midweek and could be seen with an ice pack on his ankle. The Tigers will run scans but it doesn’t look hopeful.
Matt Crooks picked up his 10th yellow card of the season in that fixture and will now serve a two match ban, the first coming against Millwall. It wasn’t all doom and gloom in the 1-0 defeat to Ipswich Town with defender Semi Ajayi in the squad for the first time since December.
Toby Collyer didn’t make that midweek match but is close to a return from injury and could be in contention against Millwall. Eliot Mataza is in a similar position as he nears a comeback from a 12 month ACL injury.
Hull City remain without Ryan Giles, Mo Belloumi, Matty Jacob, Yu Hirakawa and Darko Gyabi.
Doubts - Lewie Coyle, Toby Collyer, Eliot Mataza. Outs - Ryan Giles, Mo Belloumi, Matty Jacob, Yu Hirakawa and Darko Gyabi, Matt Crooks.
Millwall team news
The big news for Millwall at Hull City could be the return of Will Smallbone. The Southampton loanee hasn’t featured since October and has made just six appearances for the Lions this term. The midfielder has been in full training and had minutes with the under-21 side.
Speaking to NewsAtDen, Neil said: “Will’s going to get some under-21s minutes today. So it’ll be a good sort of step in his recovery. He’s trained fully now for a good part of a week and a half. I’m hoping that Will should be involved shortly.”
Caleb Taylor has been nursing a foot injury and missed out against Preston North End, having also missed out against Birmingham City. That issue is not thought to be serious but a return date is uknown.
The Lions continue to be without Joe Bryan, Dan Kelly, Massimo Luongo and Lukas Jensen.
Doubts - Will Smallbone, Caleb Taylor. Outs - Joe Bryan, Dan Kelly, Massimo Luongo and Lukas Jensen.
In other news, Millwall set for 'excellent' injury boost ahead of Hull City and Derby County.