ALEX Neil explained why Will Smallbone missed Millwall’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town.
Smallbone, 26, returned from a four-and-a-half-month spell on the sidelines earlier this month, making three substitute appearances before being ruled out of the clash at Portman Road.
“He picked up a bit of a niggle yesterday, so he wasn’t available,” Neil said. “He would’ve been available today. We were sort of potentially planning with him maybe even being in the team, but he’s not ready.”
When asked if it looked like a long-term injury, Neil said: “Well, what’s long-term?
“We’ve only got X amount of weeks left. It’s hard to quantify that. I’m not really sure. I need to get the scan back and see what it is.”
Smallbone has made nine appearances for the Lions since joining on loan from Southampton on deadline day.