Millwall midfield set for ankle scan today – with quick return not anticipated

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Ben Thompson is set to see a specialist today – and Millwall manager Gary Rowett is not expecting the midfielder to be quickly back into the fray.

The 24-year-old damaged his ankle blocking a Jayden Bogle cross in the recent 1-0 win at Derby County.

“He is seeing a specialist today,” said Rowett. “So we should know a little bit more. I don’t anticipate him returning quickly.

“I don’t think it’s a case of him seeing the specialist and him saying: ‘Yeah, he’s great – he’s okay for tomorrow’. I think he’ll be out for a little bit of time – it’s about finding out how long.

“It’s a blow for us. We missed him on Saturday because he has been so good at home – he is the one who bridges the midfield and attack. Sometimes when you play with two out-and-out strikers it is hard to fill those little holes. Barnsley got a little bit of control in that area and were better with the ball.”

Murray Wallace and Alex Pearce both missed Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Barnsley due to illness. It forced Rowett to change his plans – initially he wanted to play a three-man central defence, as he has in gaining good results on the road.

“The two lads who were ill should be in today – but I don’t think they’ll train,” said Rowett. “At the moment both look very doubtful because we have got one session tomorrow.

“We know we need a little bit in January [in terms of adding to the squad]. Maybe Saturday was a case of us running out of a little bit of steam in this period, which is understandable. We’d be working hard to get some good results.”

PICTURE BY KEITH GILLARD