The 15 players set to miss Millwall v Derby County ft Alfie Doughty | OneFootball

The 15 players who are set to miss this midweek clash between promotion-hopefuls

The run-in is closing in now in the Championship, and two sides looking to secure promotion meet at the Den on Tuesday night, as Millwall plays host to Derby County.

The Lions put a healthy buffer between themselves and the chasing pack on Saturday with a 3-1 win over fellow play-off challengers Hull City, and Alex Neil's side can increase that with another win against one of those on the outside looking in.

Derby, like Millwall, began this three-game week on the front foot, as they beat already relegated Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park to move just three points off the top six. A win for the Rams would see them cut the points gap between the two to just eight.

It's a massive game at the top, and one that may have implications on how the top six looks come May 2nd, but these 15 players won't be involved.

Alfie Doughty

Starting with the hosts, Alex Neil had to add three names to his injury list following the win over Hull, starting with Alfie Doughty.

The 26-year-old came on as a half-time substitute, but was forced off 19 minutes later through a calf injury.

According to Alex Neil, after the game, "it didn't look great." So, the likelihood is that this will be the first of a few games on the sidelines at least.

Casper De Norre

Casper De Norre was scheduled to start at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, but was withdrawn from the lineup after suffering a groin injury in the warm-up.

Millwall's midfield was given a boost with the return of Will Smallbone from the bench, making his first appearance since October. And it looks to have come at just the right time, too, with the 29-year-old now facing a spell on the sidelines.

Ryan Leonard

The final new name on the injury list at the Den is Ryan Leonard, who missed Hull after starting the two previous games. However, in some good news, Alex Neil doesn't feel that he'll be gone for too long.

"We took him off at Preston; it was a kick to his leg. We're talking more days than weeks, though. We'll see how he goes for the next one," he said.

Tuesday night may be too short a turnaround for Leonard to play a part, but a return will be eyed sooner rather than later.

Caleb Taylor

Caleb Taylor has been a regular fixture in the Millwall side since November, but he's missed the last three games with a foot injury.

Alex Neil said after the Hull game that, while he could risk playing him, aggravating the injury now could rule him out for the rest of the campaign, and with Millwall winning all three games that he's been absent for, he doesn't see that risk being worth it currently.

So, it seems that he'll once again be rested for the visit of Derby.

Joe Bryan

Joe Bryan hasn't featured in a matchday squad since Millwall's FA Cup defeat at the hands of Burnley in early January.

Claims have been made that he's nursing a toe injury, but there's no timeline on the 32-year-old veteran full-back's return just yet.

Massimo Luongo

Now to the longer-term injuries, and Massimo Luongo's ACL injury has been one that Millwall have had to deal with for the majority of the campaign, with it being confirmed in October that he will miss the remainder of the season.

The 33-year-old only signed a one-year deal with the Lions in the summer after leaving Ipswich Town, so questions will be asked between now and the end of the campaign if Luongo has already played his final game for the club.

Lukas Jensen

Goalkeeper Lukas Jensen hasn't made a senior squad appearance this season at the Den after tearing his Achilles in April during training.

The 26-year-old, who made 41 appearances in the Championship last season for Millwall, did appear in U21 action in December, but suffered a groin injury that has kept him from making a full return to the side.

Dan Kelly

And finally, Dan Kelly, who had started to break into the Millwall side in December, starting three straight games before he went down with injury, will miss the remainder of the campaign with said hamstring injury.

The former Celtic academy man has plenty of potential, and those at the Den will be eager to see what the 20-year-old can do upon his return.

Callum Elder

With no fresh injury concerns coming out of their 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, Derby's injury list remains the same, with seven players confirmed to be out.

Starting with Callum Elder, who went under the knife for a knee injury. Luckily, it's just a minor surgery, and John Eustace is hopeful that the 31-year-old will be back in April.

"It's a bit of a blow, but it's important that we get him back before the end of the season. I think he will be with the group again just after the international break," he said.

Sondre Langas

Sondre Langas has been missing since the end of January, when he picked up a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old has been key for John Eustace in his backline, even captaining the side at times this season.

Like with Elder, though, Langas is set to return after the international break, with the Rams boss revealing that he's back in individual training with the club's physios.