Millwall man could finally make return as Middlesbrough head to Den – but fresh doubts over duo

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Connor Mahoney could end a four-month absence by being back on the bench for Millwall tomorrow.

The 24-year-old has been missing since early November with a quad injury.

But Mahoney finally looks ready to come back and boost Gary Rowett’s attacking options.

The former Birmingham and Blackburn winger has made just 11 appearances this season. But the Lions could be without Scott Malone (quad) and Mason Bennett (hamstring) who both reported slight niggles after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss at QPR.

“Connor might be back available, at least for the bench,” said Millwall manager Gary Rowett. “He won’t be able to play many minutes, but he might be able to do the last 20.”

Dutch midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld should be ready to face Rotherham United after the international break, his comeback from a hamstring strain was delayed after he could still feel a slight issue.

Kenneth Zohore and Ryan Leonard – both out with ankle injuries – should also return around the same period.

“You can clearly see at the moment that we have a lack of options,” said Rowett. “You look at certain key positions and it is causing us a few problems.”

Rowett was left fuming at Millwall’s defending at Rangers as they conceded three times in the space of 35 minutes, undoing an impressive opening 45 minutes where Jed Wallace and Mason Bennett had scored to put them in the ascendency.

“We had a chance to make it 3-0 through Hutchy [Shaun Hutchinson] which I think takes the game away from them,” said the Lions chief.

“We conceded a really poor goal not long after that. You can be 2-0 up, miss a chance they gave us and then we gave them a chance and they take it. It is then 2-1 and they have a spring in their step and something to go for.

“We then have another opportunity to make it 3-1 and don’t take it and we concede a really poor second goal and a really sloppy third one.

“For 45 minutes we can maintain that intensity and levels but when that intensity [of the match] continues we have one or two who struggled to continue at that level.”

Millwall are at home to Middlesbrough tomorrow with Neil Warnock’s side still in the chase for a play-off spot after back-to-back Championship wins.

Paddy McNair went off with a knee injury in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Preston while striker Britt Assombalonga missed out with a tight hamstring.

Millwall have failed to win any of their last six meetings with Boro, losing three of them.