Millwall’s Ryan Leonard out for months with hamstring tear

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett has confirmed that Ryan Leonard will miss “two or three months” after tearing his hamstring in training.

Leonard was absent from the matchday squad as the Lions lost 1-0 to Reading today – a result that ended their 100 per cent home winning record.

“He pulled his hamstring in training on Thursday,” said Rowett.

“He came out Friday and felt fine, it wasn’t an issue.

“He went for a scan and we felt it was pretty innocuous. It turns out he’s torn his hamstring, and it looks like he could be out for two or three months. Very disappointing. It didn’t look like anything in particular. He can’t remember an incident where he’s done it.”

It has been a frustrating period for Leonard.

The former Southend captain missed 23 Championship games last season due to different injuries and is now set for another period on the sidelines.

“Before he joined the club, he had such a good record of playing games, and he’s so robust and a really fit lad,” said Rowett. “But for whatever reason, over the last two years, he’s missed the majority of it with injuries.

“It’s frustrating for him and we will try and help him and pick him up. But when you get into the team, and you look good and then suddenly you have to make another change it’s disappointing for us.

“So far this season, we’ve had too many times when we’ve had to change the team, but that’s what you’ve got a squad for, and that’s what you’ve got to do. You’re always going to get little things, but it’s disappointing for Lenny, such a serious one with hardly anything actually happening.

“It’s not like Mason Bennett’s where he’s sprinting and crosses it, and you can clearly see the action. There was virtually nothing there. It’s very frustrating.”