Millwall dealt 'unfortunate' injury blow with star set to miss Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday clashes

Millwall face Norwich City on Boxing Day next.Millwall face Norwich City on Boxing Day next.
Millwall face Norwich City on Boxing Day next. | Getty Images
It’s three away trips in the next four for Millwall as the search for a new manager continues.

Millwall are set to be without defender Danny McNamara for an extended period of time after the defender picked up a knee injury this week. The 25-year-old is expected to be sidelined until mid-January.

The Lions ended a run of three back-to-back second tier defeats on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. That victory came in the first match overseen by Lions caretaker coach David Livermore following the bombshell departure of Neil Harris.

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Mihailo Ivanovic was the difference maker against John Eustace's in-form Rovers side at The Den on Saturday, his 96th minute goal a reason for much-needed jubilation at Millwall after a tricky couple of weeks. Among the celebrations, however, was cause for concern with an update on McNamara.

The full-back has been in and out of the starting XI for Millwall this season but had started the previous three matches before his sudden omission from the matchday squad against Blackburn Rovers. Livermore provided an update on the Lions academy graduate after the game.

Danny McNamara is set to be out of action until mid January.Danny McNamara is set to be out of action until mid January.
Danny McNamara is set to be out of action until mid January. | Getty Images

He told the South London Press: “Similar to Jake Cooper but not as severe. Against Middlesbrough, he had a Baker’s cyst on the back of his knee which ruptured and he suffered a PCL injury in the game.

“Strange one. PCL injuries you normally see one in 10 years and we’ve had two in the space of a short time. That was unfortunate but it is not as long as first thought. We’re probably looking at around the five-weeks mark, maybe a week earlier or later. It might take us to Dagenham in the FA Cup.”

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That's a significant blow for Millwall as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast over the festive period. A short break to enjoy Christmas ends with a Boxing Day visit to Norwich City before a trip to Coventry City on December 29.

The Lions are next at home on New Year's Day when Oxford United visit The Den before making the trip to Hillsborough on January 4 to take on Danny Rohl's Sheffield Wednesday. McNamara could miss all of those fixtures before a potential return against Dagenham and Redbridge in cup action in mid January.

The versatile defender can play both right back and left back, making his absence over the busy run all the more disappointing.

Millwall delight at late Blackburn Rovers win

Reacting to the win over Blackburn Rovers, Livermore told BBC Radio London: "Tough game against an opponent in form who are very good out of possession and made it very tough for us. I thought it was a scrappy game but territorially I think the ball was in their half more without us creating big chances. There is nothing better at The Den than scoring in the 90 plus whatever it was such a fantastic result for us.

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"At 0-0 I just wanted to be positive. They had two very experienced centre halves in Dom Hyam and Danny Batth, I felt the physical presence might help us win the game.

"This week we have kept it really consistent. Before the game we talked about being a team who always wants to try and score the next goal whether we are winning, losing or drawing. At the minute I will be taking the game on Thursday [against Norwich] but I'm taking it day by day and if that changes, no problem at all."

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