Maikel Kieftenbeld desperate to face Blues – as Millwall midfielder facing race to be fit for Championship fixture

Maikel Kieftenbeld is facing a race to be fit for the visit of Birmingham City on Wednesday night – with Millwall chief Gary Rowett fully aware the Dutchman would love to face his old club.

The midfielder made a free transfer switch to the Lions in the January transfer window but came off at half-time in the 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday with a hamstring injury.

“Maikel is going to be touch and go for Wednesday night,” said Millwall manager Rowett. “It might be a little too soon.

“I’m also mindful Maikel is desperate to play Wednesday but at the same time we have got to make sure he is not just trying to get back for the next game.

“He is a sensible guy. One of the staff asked him if he was going back to Birmingham last week and he said he was staying down to make sure he got his recovery right. He does all the right things and is serious about his football.

“He’ll want to get back, but we have to make sure that he hasn’t come back too soon and potentially has to be out for longer.

“It’s always difficult with hamstrings. It wasn’t really a pull or strain, just really tight and sore. He could feel something and sometimes they are the worst ones, because you feel a little bit of a lack of confidence about opening up and sprinting.”

PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD