Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:50 am
Millwall suffer frustrating player blow as Neil Harris’ return to The Den looms
By Jake Sanders
16/11/2020
Millwall will be hoping to end a three-match winless run when their former boss Neil Harris returns to The Den on Saturday.
Prior to the international break, Gary Rowett’s side had followed up their home defeat to Huddersfield with consecutive goalless draws with Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Despite their poor form, the Lions sit 9th in the league and should welcome back Billy Mitchell and Troy Parrott from long-term injuries when the Bluebirds visit South London this weekend.
Mitchell hasn’t featured this season due to a hamstring problem, whilst striker Parrott made his comeback for Ireland U21s on Sunday following a six-week lay-off with an ankle injury.
However, it hasn’t been all good news for Rowett, who saw Shane Ferguson hobble out of Northern Ireland’s Nations League defeat at Austria on Sunday evening.
Having been an extra-time substitute in their EURO 2020 play-off defeat to Slovakia on Tuesday, the 29-year-old was handed a starting-place, although Ferguson lasted just 36 minutes before he was replaced holding his back.
There is no early news regarding the damage caused to the Millwall man or whether he’ll be available for the weekend clash with Cardiff, but it’s far from an ideal situation for Rowett.
The Verdict
Whilst Ferguson isn’t first-choice in any position at the club, his versatility makes his a key member of Rowett’s squad.
Hopefully it’s just precaution and he isn’t facing any sort of spell on the sidelines – especially considering Millwall have only just welcomed back Mitchell and Parrott.