Middlesbrough fans won't be happy with Championship announcement for Millwall

Millwall welcome Middlesbrough to The Den this weekend buoyed by an impressive 1-0 win over promotion chasing Sheffield United in midweek. Meanwhile, Boro make the long trip to London with their tail between their legs having lost 1-0 at home to Leeds United.

That result was a blow to Michael Carrick’s side, who are chasing promotion via the play-offs themselves, and a trip to The Den won’t be an easy chance to bounce back. Alex Neil’s men have lost just one of their last six at home.

Unfortunately, the Lions will be unable to field midweek goalscorer Josh Coburn against Middlesbrough, given the player is on loan from the Championship rivals. However, there’s bad news for Boro too, with the EFL confirming who will referee the meeting on Saturday afternoon.

EFL confirm Millwall v Middlesbrough referee

Tom Nield will referee the match at The Den with Andrew Fox and Nigel Lugg as his assistants. Sam Purkiss will be fourth official. Nield is a name that Middlesbrough know well, and perhaps not for the most favourable reasons.

In April 2016, TeesideLive reported on the night Nield went from ‘virtual unknown’ to ‘pantomime villain’ for the North East club. That came in a fixture that saw Boro take on Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

The West Yorkshire official was working as a linesman that night and flagged Dani Ayala offside after his 70th minute shot flew in. After full time, TV replays ‘conclusively’ proved that the goal should have stood with even Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett admitting that was the case.

Aitor Karanka fumes as past offside decision

Former Boro boss Aitor Karanka was tight lipped after the match and said: "Normally in football when you score one more goal than the opponent you win the game. It didn't happen because Daniel's goal was disallowed and I can't understand why. I prefer to think it's a mistake, but what makes me concerned is a few mistakes have come against us. I feel we have played in different conditions than other teams.

"We knew it was a goal, so I don't need an explanation, but the only thing I want is to play in the same conditions. We've had a lot (of decisions) against us. For example we are the only team who have lost a player for three games, like (Cristhian) Stuani when the referee didn't see anything (after he was banned for violent conduct retrospectively this month). Today it was the goal, three weeks ago it was a player suspended for three games."

Neild’s last match was Sunderland 1-0 win over West Brom last weekend, handing out five yellow cards in that match. The referee has only worked with Millwall once this season and that came in the 2-1 defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road in December.

Neild has refereed a total of three Millwall fixtures in his career, handing out a total of four yellow cards but never brandishing a red. He’s worked with matches involving Middlesbrough four times.

In other news, here are seven soon to be free agents that Millwall could sign without a fee this summer.