Alex Neil reveals big potential Millwall FC boost ahead of Hull City | OneFootball

Millwall boss Alex Neil has provided an injury update on striker Josh Coburn ahead of the Lions' Championship play-off clash with Hull City

Millwall boss Alex Neil has provided a crucial potential injury update ahead of Friday's Championship play-off semi-final clash with Hull City.

If the Lions earn a positive result at the MKM Stadium, they will have something to defend ahead of Monday's second leg at The Den.

Millwall will fancy their chances of beating Hull City and reaching Wembley, as Neil's men finished third in the Championship, whereas Sergej Jakirovic's side snuck into sixth place on the final day of the season.

Either Southampton or Middlesbrough will await the Lions or the Tigers in the play-off final, with the North East side clashing with the South Coast club on both Saturday and Tuesday.

Millwall boss Alex Neil provides Josh Coburn injury update ahead of Hull City test

The player in question is Josh Coburn, who has played his part in Millwall's successful Championship campaign by returning nine goals 26 second-tier appearances.

However, the 23-year-old hasn't featured for Neil's side since their 1-1 draw with relegated Leicester City on 24 April, courtesy of a hip injury.

The former Middlesbrough man's most recent goal came when Millwall defeated Stoke City on 21 April, while the Lions would love to see him produce the goods once again in the play-offs.

Meanwhile, speaking to Sky Sports football journalist Peter Smith, Neil discussed Coburn's fitness: "He's doing well. This week he's been on the grass, he's done bits and bobs, and we'll make a decision on him (on Thursday)."

In Coburn's absence, Mihailo Ivanovic has led the line for the Lions in their last two games and registered an assist in last Saturday's 2-0 victory over Oxford United.

Millwall's triumph over Oxford wasn't quite enough to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League, as second-place Ipswich Town beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at Portman Road.

However, the Lions still have every chance of booking their spot in next season's top flight via the play-offs, and will be eager to beat Hull at the MKM Stadium on Friday.

Josh Coburn can be a key asset for Millwall in the Championship play-offs

Coburn finished the Championship season as Millwall's joint-second top scorer in the second tier, having notched nine goals in 26 league appearances.

Fellow Lions striker Ivanovic reached the same tally in 44 games, while only winger Femi Azeez scored more, notching 11 goals in 35 second-tier outings.

Neil's comments indicate that Ivanovic is more likely to start against Hull than Coburn, but the former Middlesbrough forward has produced the goods in big games already this season, and can have a key impact once again in Millwall's play-off campaign.

The 23-year-old scored a brace when the Lions defeated then fellow automatic promotion rivals Boro 2-1 on Good Friday, while he also notched a goal when his side drew 1-1 with Ipswich before the last international break.

In addition to his strikes against Middlesbrough and the Tractor Boys, Coburn put himself on the scoresheet in key wins over Derby County and Hull in March.

Millwall will want the former Bristol Rovers loan star to prove his big game credentials once more in the play-offs, but he may have to settle for a place on the substitute's bench on Friday.