Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to big Millwall FC update - it's a 'massive loss' | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has spoken to FLW about the implications of Massimo Luongo's long-term injury for Millwall

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that the long-term injury to Millwall midfielder Massimo Luongo is a "massive loss" to the Lions after a terrific start to the season.

Millwall have got off to a flyer this season and exceeded many of their fans' expectations prior to a ball being kicked as the Lions currently sit just outside the automatic places in 3rd with 20 points on the board after 11 games.

Keeping clean sheets against fellow promotion contenders at this stage, Stoke and West Brom have highlighted their defensive stability, with Alex Neil's side looking a real unit. Thierno Ballo and Femi Azeez have been two of the standouts of late, with their form in front of goal shining through.

However, in terms of setbacks, injuries have been a constant worry for many Championship sides in the early stages of the season, and now it has struck Millwall, as Massimo Luongo, who signed as a free agent in the summer from Ipswich Town, now sees himself out of action until the end of the season with a knee injury.

Luongo made nine league appearances to kickstart his Millwall career, and has quickly established himself as a key figure in Neil's engine room, but now, the in-form Lions will now be without the Australian for the remainder of the campaign.

Lee Hendrie highlights Massimo Luongo injury blow as a "massive loss"

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Lee Hendrie believes that the long-term absence of their new man Luongo could hit Millwall hard, due to him being an ever-present figure in the heart of Neil's side so far. Whereas the second midfield position has been subject to change, with the likes of Derek Mzou-Sacko, Billy Mitchell, Luke Cundle, and Casper De Norre all playing their part in rotation.

Hendrie said: "Massimo Luongo is obviously suffering an injury and is out for the season. I think it's a massive loss for Millwall."

"I think since going there on a free transfer he's stepped straight into a really good role for Millwall - they're another side that have been showing signs of promise in where they are in the league table."

"No surprise that some of the players they've got there, him being one of them, a real key catalyst to what they are and having that quality in there."

"That'll be a massive loss for Millwall just as they've really started the season quite brilliantly."

Millwall must fill the void left by Massimo Luongo

After merely playing 15 minutes against London rivals QPR before being forced off due to a knee injury, Luongo didn't feature in their latest 2-0 win against Stoke to the disappointment of all Lions fans.

The Australian international has been a consistently high performer this season, but with him now sidelined for the foreseeable future, Neil must now turn to his other four midfield options as aforementioned.

In terms of who is best suited to take Luongo's place, Neil will surely be looking for his replacement to step into the role and be a 90-minute man week in week out, as Neil's current formula may not be sustainable if they have their sights set for promotion.

Despite rotation being a major positive when it comes to squad depth, changing the personnel, especially in the heart of midfield every matchday, could prove to be harmful in the long-term and could potentially disrupt the Lions' current rhythm.

With three wins on the bounce and an assured performance against Stoke, it was Mazou-Sacko partnered with De Norre, who occupied Neil's midfield two in his natural 4-2-3-1 formation. With a meeting with Leicester at The Den on the horizon, it will be interesting to see whether the manager sticks with the duo or potentially hands a start to Cundle, who replaced Will Smallbone less than half an hour into the game against the Potters.

One thing for sure is that Luongo's absence will for sure leave a hole in Millwall's midfield. Now it's a case of Neil making sure that whoever is his chosen replacement comes in and replicates his terrific form on a regular basis. If all goes to plan, then we could well see the Lions continue to challenge for those top spots come the end of the season.