Millwall boss tries to look at the positives despite key man’s season ending prematurely

Shaun Hutchinson’s calf injury has ruled him out of the rest of Millwall’s season – but manager Gary Rowett is trying to look on the bright side.

The Millwall centre-back had been an ever-present before coming off in the 1-0 win over Rotherham United.

Hutchinson had played every minute of the 2020-21 campaign up to that point.

The former Fulham centre-back joins striker Matt Smith (broken foot) is being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Manager Rowett said: “He’ll be out for the season, which was a blow at the time. We’re disappointed with that but it gives Hutchy a little bit of a break, because he has played a lot of games and worked incredibly hard.

“We’ll just take the positives out of it, see if he can give his body a bit of a rest and be ready for next season.

“Matt will be the same, we’re pretty sure he won’t play again this season.

“Lenny [Ryan Leonard} is one who probably has a chance but he is further behind than we thought he would be. It’s just seeing if he can catch that up a little bit.”