Millwall striker Matt Smith played FIVE matches with a broken foot

Millwall striker Matt Smith broke his foot in the 2-0 win over Birmingham City in the middle of February – but managed to carry on playing for another five matches.

The Lions targetman missed Saturday’s match at Derby County and his injured foot will be in a protective boot for the next month.

“If the bone heals in those four weeks then I suppose it could be a couple of weeks after that he will be back – a bit like Muzza [Murray Wallace],” said Millwall manager Gary Rowett. “But that’s on the best scenario. Who knows if it will, as that is only an early prognosis.

“It is a real blow for Matt and us because he is such a great option to have at different points in the game. It just limits what we can do from the start and off the bench. But we have to suck it up.

“Hopefully Matt will be back before the end of the season.

“He did it against Birmingham, I think it was the penalty appeal when Harlee Dean handballed it. He just felt it on a follow through when he connected with the other lad’s foot.

“He’d looked a bit uncomfortable in recent weeks but nothing massively noticeable. He hadn’t said anything, he’d kept it to himself and tried to get through it. But then he told us he had something wrong with his foot and it was just getting worse and worse.

“We sent him for a scan and it showed he had been playing with a broken foot for about three weeks. That’s testament to his toughness because Murray tried to do the same. We’ve got some tough players who just want to be out there.”

Wallace returned to the starting line up in the 1-0 victory at Derby but Millwall have had a heavy injury list this season.

Billy Mitchell missed most of the campaign with two hamstring problems while Connor Mahoney has been out for months with a quad issue. Kenneth Zohore is also sidelined along with midfielders Maikel Kieftenbeld and Ryan Leonard unavailable as well.

When asked if he kept a total of Millwall’s injuries this season, Rowett replied: “I’d rather not think about it. I’ve got a calendar on my wall and got a projected return date for players – it just feels like a different name every week of the season.

“The amount of games and proximity of games, it is a huge risk factor to ask players to go every three days. There is often a knock-on effect and also the pitches are a factor too.

“I said before the season started that it was going to be the sides who kept their players fit and healthy who would have a really good opportunity. If you look at some of the top teams in the division, if they lost their main goalscorer they would have a huge problem, but they have managed to keep them fit.”