Lions tamed by injury problems

Posted Friday, August 28, 2009 by PA

Millwall`s injury crisis shows no sign of letting up ahead of Friday night`s visit of Brighton.

Tony Craig is the latest addition to the casualty list after suffering a recurrence of his back injury which kept him out of Tuesday night`s Carling Cup defeat at West Ham.

Fellow defenders Zak Whitbread (hip), Danny Senda (Achilles), Pat O`Connor (cruciate) and Paul Robinson (metatarsal) are still on the sidelines, although the latter is close to returning to training.

In addition, midfielders Lewis Grabban (thigh) and Nadjim Abdou (groin) and striker Steve Morison (thigh) are expected to miss out again.

Boss Kenny Jackett is so short of personnel he was only able to name four substitutes at Upton Park.

Versatile George Friend will be added to the squad having missed out in midweek due to his loan deal from Wolves.

Brighton are short of numbers in defence for their trip.

Centre-halves Tommy Elphick and Colin Hawkins are both suspended following their red cards during last weekend`s home defeat by Stockport.

Full-backs Jim McNulty (ankle) and Jake Wright (hamstring) are also missing while striker Gary Hart, who can deputise at the back, is unlikely to recover from his toe injury in time.

Midfielders David Livermore and Adam El-Abd could therefore be drafted into the back four.

Frontman Glenn Murray is also missing after undergoing further surgery on his hernia problem.

Goalkeeper Michel Kuipers returns from a one-match ban to challenge Graeme Smith for the gloves, and winger Kevin McLeod is available after missing out last weekend due to a family bereavement.