By Paul Green
MILLWALL skipper Shaun Hutchinson has resumed training and is on course to be available by the middle of next month, according to Neil Harris.
The defender’s campaign has been blighted by injury, the latest issue being a calf problem which has kept the 33-year-old out of the squad since being an unused substitute at Hull earlier this month.
But Harris confirmed today Hutch is on the way back and could even be ready for action by the time Birmingham visit The Den on Saturday week, although the St Patrick’s Day clash at Leeds United is the most likely return date.
The manager said: “We are hoping to have Shaun Hutchinson back on the grass this week, which will be a positive.
“He is on the grass right now with the sports scientists and we are hoping to have him back integrated with the group this week.
“To have him back as my captain and as a leader would be fantastic for me and the team.
“It is still early because he has got to get through this week and early next week before being considered to play.
“There is an outside chance for the Birmingham game but more realistically for Leeds.”
Harris may only have been back at Calmont Road less than a week but has already noticed a change in Hutchinson’s personality, something the returning boss puts down to the experience of playing alongside several other vocal former Millwall team-mates.
He said: “Shaun is a top, top player.
“For me he has been one of the best and consistent central defenders in the Championship for a long time.
“Shaun is a warrior and a leader in his own right.”
Harris added: “He certainly seems a lot more vocal than he was five years ago and has learned from playing alongside the likes of Tony Craig, Steve Morison and Alex Pearce.
“He has developed himself as a person and obviously grown in age as well.
“Leadership wise, I’m really pleased with what I’ve seen in this first week back in the building and look forward to working with him as a captain.
“I always have really close relationships with my captains and I’m looking forward to building that with Hutch again.”