Millwall suffer player blow as Middlesbrough & Ipswich Town promotion race looms | OneFootball

Will Smallbone missed Millwall's 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town

Millwall are in the mix for automatic promotion to the Premier League this season under Alex Neil.

The Lions haven’t competed in the top flight of English football since 1990, but are now within two points of a long-awaited return to the division.

The London outfit are only two points behind second-place Middlesbrough with just seven fixtures remaining, but they are level on points with Ipswich Town in third, who have a game in hand.

A 1-1 draw with the Tractor Boys prior to the March international break meant that the gaps remained the same in the table, with Boro also drawing in their clash with Blackburn Rovers.

However, seventh place Wrexham are now also only six points behind, meaning it is far from guaranteed that Millwall will even qualify for the play-offs.

Neil will be hoping to have all hands on deck for the run-in, with a crucial few weeks ahead once the league returns to action.

Alex Neil confirms Will Smallbone fitness setback

Neil has clarified the situation surrounding Will Smallbone after the 26-year-old missed the 1-1 draw at Portman Road last weekend.

The Southampton loanee had returned to the squad in recent weeks, making his first appearance since October when he came off the bench in a 3-1 win against Hull on 7 March, but he was again unavailable for selection last Saturday.

The Millwall boss claimed that the Ireland international picked up a minor issue, and that he shouldn’t be out of action for too long, although no timeframe was given for his return.

“He’s picked up a niggle,” said Neil, via NewsAtDen.

“He’s not going to be available for the next couple of weeks.

“It’s one we need to revisit probably in a few days’ time.

“It’s not crystal clear.”

Smallbone joined Millwall in the summer from Southampton following the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League.

He has so far made nine appearances in the Championship for the Lions, with injury issues limiting his game time this season.

Neil will be hoping that the 26-year-old can play a role in helping the club fight for promotion to the Premier League.

Millwall will return to action on 3 April with a major clash against promotion rivals Middlesbrough, emphasising the need for all hands on deck in the final weeks of the season.

The Lions will travel to the Riverside for a 12.30pm kick-off, where a victory will move the team into second in the table, with Ipswich not back in action until 6 April.

Will Smallbone injury issues have been frustrating

Smallbone has shown in his brief game time for the club that he has a role to play in Millwall’s promotion push, but his fitness issues have limited what he can do for the side.

It is frustrating that he is back on the sidelines again, and Neil will be hoping that this won’t keep him out for too long.

But he was being eased back into the team with substitute minutes, and this latest issue will setback his bid to get back to full fitness as quickly as possible.

We’re now at the stage of the campaign where any kind of knock could cost the team massively due to how few games are left, and Millwall will need everyone available in order to keep pace in the automatic promotion race.