Alex Neil confirms triple Millwall boost ahead of Portsmouth | OneFootball

Alex Neil has provided a fresh injury update for Millwall

Alex Neil has provided a positive injury boost for Millwall in the lead up to their upcoming clash against Portsmouth.

The Lions are winless in their last three league fixtures, but are still firmly in the mix for a play-off place in these early stages of the campaign.

The London outfit will be hoping to get back to winning ways with the return to league action this weekend following the conclusion of the November international break.

The final break of the calendar year also means that fixtures will now be coming thick and fast, with Neil’s side set to play 11 games between now and 4 January.

Millwall’s season could be defined by their form in the coming six weeks, making it potentially the most important part of the entire campaign.

Alex Neil provides Millwall injury update

Neil has claimed that Steven Benda and Alfie Doughty have both been back out on the grass during the international break, indicating they are close to a return to the first team squad.

Meanwhile, Femi Azeez has also been out on the grass, but the Millwall boss has suggested that a return as soon as this Saturday could be touch and go.

“Alfie’s been on the grass, Steven’s been on the grass,” said Neil, via NewsAtDen.

“We’ve got a couple coming back this week.

“It’s just going to be a case of, can we get enough volume and training load into them to make them ready and prepared for the games?

“That’ll be a decision that will get made later in the week, because obviously we don’t know what’s going to happen today, what’s going to happen Thursday, what’s going to happen Friday.

“Then we’ll take it from there.

“But the lads are making good progress.

“Femi’s been on the grass again.

“Question mark as to whether Saturday might be too soon for him, but again, he’s not far away.”

Benda’s last game for the Lions came on 4 October in a 3-0 win over West Brom, but has been absent with a groin injury.

Meanwhile, Azeez and Doughty’s last appearances came on 1 November and 18 October, respectively, with the latter struggling with fitness issues earlier in the campaign as well.

Millwall are currently sixth in the Championship table, so their returns will be welcome as the team looks to fight for promotion to the Premier League.

The London outfit will travel to Fratton Park to take on Pompey on 22 November in a 3pm kick-off.

Millwall injury returns will be a big boost for Alex Neil

The busy winter schedule can be quite brutal on players, so having a fully fit squad can make a huge difference to all 24 managers in the division.

Having Benda, Doughty and Azeez back will be massive for Neil, and he will be delighted that they’ve made good use of the November international break to get ready for the upcoming weeks.

They may need to be eased back into things instead of thrown straight back into the squad, but that is still better than them being stuck on the sidelines.