No comeback date set for Millwall defender – as boss talks about injury-hit squad

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett has revealed that an injury to Shaun Hutchinson forced him to change formation at Birmingham on Saturday.

The Millwall manager had planned to play the same 5-2-3 formation that led to the Lions’ 1-0 win at Swansea – their first away league victory for eight months.

But centre-back Hutchinson, who headed home his third goal of the campaign in the 2-2 draw with Wigan on Tuesday, was absent for the 1-1 draw in the Midlands.

“He’s got a rib injury and the thing you’ll know – if anyone’s ever had a rib injury – is that it’s probably the worst thing you can ever have,” said Rowett.

“It might settle next week or it might take longer than that – so it is what it is.”

Millwall’s squad is not the biggest and has been stretched over the last few weeks with injuries.

But Rowett was quick to praise the character of the squad.

“We had about 12 or 13 senior fit pros yesterday [Friday],” he said. “We had to change formation because of it. But one thing you can guarantee is whichever group of players goes out there you know we’re going to give it everything. We’ve got the characters – that’s absolutely unquestionable.”

The Lions have also suffered a setback with Ryan Leonard, who has been missing since October with knee ligament damage.
“We’ve had a lot to negotiate in a week,” said Rowett. “Lots of players injured. Shane Ferguson has been unavailable and Ryan Leonard looks like he won’t be back as quickly as we thought.”