Millwall midfielder will be missing for opening weeks of pre-season programme

Ryan Leonard is set to be missing for the start of Millwall’s pre-season as he recovers from ankle surgery.

The 29-year-old midfielder, who even adeptly filled in as a right-sided central defender in the 2020-21 campaign, has not played since February 6.

The Lions players report back on July 1 as they build up to the Championship opener at QPR on August 7.

Rowett said: “Because Lenny ended up having an operation towards the back end of the season, to get to the bottom of his problem, he is going to be a little bit behind.

“I would expect Lenny to join in training with the other players probably three weeks into pre-season.

“It is a little bit disappointing but, at the same time, we have got to tread a little bit carefully.

“He’s had a little bit of an issue for a while but hopefully that has been sorted now that he has been operated on. It’s better that we wrap him up in cotton wool a little bit.”