Millwall set for 'excellent' injury boost ahead of Hull City and Derby County
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Alex Neil has struggled for midfield options at Millwall this season amid an injury crisis.
Millwall boss Alex Neil is hoping to welcome back a first team midfielder after a lengthy injury lay off ahead of fixtures against Hull City and Derby County.
The Lions continued to boost their play-off hopes with a 2-0 win over Preston North End last weekend and the London outfit is now nine points clear of Southampton in seventh place. Millwall are also just four points off Middlesbrough in the automatic promotion spots.
It’s been a consistent season under Neil and the Scotsman has achieved those results while managing somewhat of an injury crisis at The Den. The issues have particularly stacked up in midfield.
However, Neil could have Will Smallbone fit again to take on Hull City and Derby County. The 26-year-old hasn’t featured since limping off during the 2-0 win over Stoke City in October.
Millwall boss Alex Neil hopes for midfield injury boost
Millwall had snapped up the former Southampton man on loan on Deadline Day. Smallbone has only had the chance to make six appearances for the side in what has been a big blow for the Lions.
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.”
When asked if the player’s return would come at the perfect time amid the play-off push, the Millwall boss added: “Absolutely. Will’s an excellent player at the level. He can play a variety of different roles as well. It’s just getting him up to speed as quickly as we can, and then we’ve obviously got decisions to make.”
The Republic of Ireland international knows what it takes to triumph in the play-offs, securing promotion to the Premier League via the final at Wembley Stadium with Southampton in 2024. Smallbone will also bring 92 appearances of Championship experience, as well as having played 34 times in the top flight.
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