Millwall Could Be Without 13 First-Team Players Against Bolton as Injury Crisis Deepens

The Lions were beaten 3-0 by the Welsh side, their second heavy defeat in as many Championship matches after Southampton inflicted a 5-1 loss on them last weekend.

Millwall’s problems were compounded at the Den, with Tairyk Arconte and Kyrell Lisbie already missing the Wrexham game while Josh Coburn and Casper De Norre were forced off during the contest.

Alex Neil reveals latest Millwall injury concerns

Arconte remains a doubt for Saturday after feeling an issue with his hamstring.

Neil confirmed that the winger is not expected to be out for a long period, but his importance to the Millwall attack means the club will be cautious over his availability.

“Tairyk Arconte is not a long one but he’s a high-impact player,” Neil told Southwark News.

“He is really quick and when he starts to sort of feel his hamstring a little bit, that is a worry for me.”

Lisbie is also battling to be fit after picking up a calf injury.

“Kyrell Lisbie got a kick in his calf so he has still got a bit of swelling, and he is not even walking properly,” Neil said. “He has got a chance for Saturday as well, I think that is about it.”

De Norre injury adds to Millwall’s problems

The loss of De Norre during Wednesday’s defeat was particularly significant for Neil, who felt the midfielder had been influential before being forced off.

Millwall changed their shape during the match because of their shortage of wide players, while the manager admitted that losing De Norre altered the game.

“I thought it changed when we lost Casper, he was very influential in the game,” Neil said.

The latest injuries leave Millwall facing a major selection headache before Bolton’s visit.

Back-to-back defeats increase pressure

The injury problems arrive at a difficult moment for Neil’s side.

Millwall were comprehensively beaten by Southampton last weekend before suffering another damaging defeat against Wrexham.

Wednesday’s match was still competitive for long periods, according to Neil, but Millwall ultimately fell away after the interval.

“I didn’t think it was a great game of football,” he said. “In the first half, I thought the game was in the balance. I thought we gave as good as we got.”

The manager also acknowledged the difficulties facing the younger players being asked to step into the side amid the injury problems.

“It’s hard for the young lads,” Neil said. “I feel sorry for them tonight.”

Femi Azeez exit makes the situation more difficult

Millwall’s squad situation has also been affected by activity in the transfer market.

Femi Azeez completed a deadline-day move to Premier League side Brighton in a deal reportedly worth £12.5 million plus add-ons after establishing himself as an important attacking player at The Den.

Millwall did bring in reinforcements, signing Romain Esse and Filip Marschall from Crystal Palace and Stevenage respectively.

They also added Jordi Osei-Tutu after his departure from Bolton at the end of last season, with the versatile wide player having already made several substitute appearances and started the Carabao Cup victory over Cambridge United.

However, the combination of injuries and Azeez’s departure has left Neil with difficult decisions to make.

What happens next for Millwall?

Millwall now have to assess the fitness of Arconte, Lisbie, Coburn and De Norre before the Bolton clash, while the wider injury list could leave the Lions without as many as 13 first-team players.

Neil has already admitted that Millwall need to examine their situation internally and understand why the injury problems are hampering their performances.

“We certainly need to have a look internally at what we are doing and how we are doing it because there is obviously an issue there somewhere,” he said.

For Millwall, the immediate priority is clear: find a way through the injury crisis and stop a difficult run from becoming even more damaging.