"It needs to be looked at" - Millwall concern raised after Alfie Doughty issue | OneFootball

FLW's Millwall fan pundit has given his verdict on Alfie Doughty's injury problems

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Alfie Doughty has suffered a hamstring injury that could keep him out of action for Millwall for quite some time.

It was confirmed by manager Alex Neil in August that the full-back won’t be back any time soon, with no immediate timeframe given for his comeback.

This came as a blow to the Lions, with the defender making a bright start to life at the Den after joining the club over the summer.

The 25-year-old started the team’s two opening games of the new season, and provided an assist in his debut in a 2-1 win over Norwich in the opening fixture.

Millwall issued warning over their injury record

When asked about Doughty’s injury problem, FLW’s Millwall fan pundit Lucas Ball claimed it’s something the club should look into.

He is hopeful the defender will be back soon, but that the team’s injury record is already looking quite poor after only four games.

“I think the root cause of [the club’s injury record] needs to be looked into more within our sports science and physio departments,” Ball told Football League World

“It comes down to reviewing everything in terms of nutrition and how players are told to recover, whether that’s their active recovery or rest days or such.

“It needs to be looked at.

“Hopefully with Alfie Doughty, he looked good in the first couple of games in the season until that injury, really nice assist on the opening day for Macaulay Langstaff.

“Frankly, we have a growing list of injuries already at this early stage of the season, which is why we were forced to do slightly more business at the end of the window than we possibly thought we needed to do a week or two earlier.

“I know we were under no illusions that some business needed to be done late on, but I do think that was added to, and potentially stopped a couple of outgoings as well.

“Fingers crossed it’s nothing too serious, we haven’t really got a timeframe for his injury yet, and Alex Neil largely does keep his cards quite close to his chest when it comes to injuries and timelines.

“Hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later and obviously have our strongest team back out.”

Millwall have made a mixed start to the new Championship campaign, with the team sitting 12th in the table after four games.

Neil’s side have earned six points from a possible 12, winning two and losing two, with the season currently awaiting the return to action from the September international break.

Next up for the London outfit is a trip to face London rivals Charlton Athletic on 13 September in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Alfie Doughty injury is a concern

Doughty made a strong start to life at Millwall, so his absence will hurt over the coming weeks.

The lack of timeframe for his recovery is also a concern, as a severe hamstring issue could have a lasting impact on a player’s career.

Supporters will be hoping that Neil is keeping his cards close to his chest, and that the problem isn’t as bad as some might fear.