‘A long shot’ – Neil Harris delivers verdict on whether Millwall record signing can make debut at QPR

Neil Harris says there is an outside chance Millwall record signing Mihailo Ivanovic could feature at QPR on Saturday.

But the Lions boss was keen to stress he will not be rushing the Serbian youngster in his return to full fitness.

The 19-year-old joined the South Londoners on deadline day in a deal worth more than £2.5million.

His Millwall medical flagged up a metatarsal issue that was expected to sideline the striker for a number of weeks.

Ivanovic was still called up by the Serbian senior squad for the first time in his career during the international break, but he was sent back to London after the Serbian FA withdrew him from their matches against Spain and Denmark – adding he also had a hamstring injury.

Ivanovic saw a specialist in London last Thursday, and the Lions are now hopeful he could be ready to make his debut quicker than expected.

“It’s a day-by-day with Mihailo,” Harris told the South London Press.

“He’s not trained fully with the squad yet, so he really is an outside chance for Saturday – a long shot.

“He’s getting better. He’s recovering from two injuries – a hamstring and a metatarsal.

“He’s not had any reaction to either on the training pitch so far with the physios and sports science department.

“We’re integrating him slowly with the group. I’m trying not to get carried away with him because we want to see him on the grass and work with him.

“I want to see him play – I’m as excited as the fans are about seeing our record signing on the pitch.

“He’s a very young man and we must be very respectful that he’s learning about English football, the club and his body every day.

“We’ll be patient with Mihailo, but we would love to have him involved as soon as possible.”