STEVE MORISON and Shaun Hutchinson are unlikely to return from injury in time to face Shrewsbury Town at The Den this weekend.
Lee Gregory and Byron Webster were left out of the EFL Trophy second-round defeat against Wycombe on Wednesday, but Lions boss Neil Harris is hopeful he will be able to call on both of them to face the Shrews.
“Lee Gregory had that back spasm so we have to be careful with him,” Harris said. “We’re hoping that Byron Webster will be 100 per cent.”
Harris made eight changes to the side that defeated Braintree in the FA Cup last weekend for the loss against Wycombe, and he will recall Jordan Archer, Shaun Williams and Mahlon Romeo this weekend.
Harry Smith will likely continue up front with Gregory in the absence of Morison.
Shrewsbury are bottom of League One but have only lost twice in eight games in all competitions since Paul Hurst took over from Micky Mellon on October 24.
Former Rotherham defender Hurst led Grimbsy back into the Football League through the play-offs last season, and Harris has noted their recent improvement.
Harris said: “From our fans’ perspective they see we’re on a good run and we’re playing a team near the bottom and they expect us to go and win.
“But it doesn’t always work out like that. We’re completely respectful towards Shrewsbury and the fact they’ve kept five clean sheets since Paul Hurst took over.
“So there’s been a real change in mentality and a big improvement defensively. They’ve got some very good players that are capable of causing us problems.
“We have to be every bit as good as we have been over the last couple of months. We have to make sure that we defend as a unit and that we are an attacking threat.
“Every game at this level, as we’ve seen this season, is a closely fought contest.”
Millwall didn’t climb into the play-off places last season until January, but could be in the top six if other results go their way this weekend.
“Ultimately we want to get promoted,” Harris said. “We want to be a top-six side and then kick on. We find ourselves in an okay position at the moment, but the sooner we get into the top six the better and that starts with us winning on Saturday.”
Shrewsbury midfielder Abu Ogogo is available again after suspension but AJ Leitch-Smith is a doubt with a knee injury.
Millwall record against Shrewsbury
Played 37
Won 17 Drawn 9 Lost 11
League One form guide:
Millwall: WWLDW
Shrewsbury: DWLLD
Probable Millwall team:
4-4-2: Archer; Romeo, Webster, Craig, Martin; Onyedinma, Thompson, Williams, O’Brien; Gregory, Smith.
Match odds:
Millwall 3/5 Draw 3/1 Shrewsbury 9/2