MILLWALL boss Neil Harris said it won’t be “straightforward” picking a side at Elland Road this weekend after two good performances against Birmingham and Brighton.
Harris said it is a “blow” to be without Shane Ferguson – who starts a three-game ban for his stamp in Lewis Dunk in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to the Seagulls – but elsewhere there are plenty of options for the Lions manager.
Ben Thompson and Ben Marshall come back into the reckoning after being cup-tied against Brighton. Harris started Aiden O’Brien instead of Marshall against Chris Hughton’s side, and the Republic of Ireland international scored Millwall’s second goal.
Harris used Ryan Leonard in a holding midfield role in the 2-0 at Birmingham, while Ryan Tunnicliffe also excelled at St Andrew’s.
“I brought in Willo [Shaun Williams] and Aiden for the cup game and they both performed really well. Everyone played well at Birmingham, so there are key decisions,” Harris said.
“Losing Shane at left-back is a blow because he played so well in the two games, but we’ve got James Meredith to come back in. Conor McLaughlin is back fit and can play there. Ben Marshall can play there as well, so we’ve got options in that position.
“Picking a team for this weekend isn’t going to be straightforward because of the quality of performances in the last two games.
“What I have to focus on his how to win the game, how to stop Leeds being creative at home, and then affect the other end. The team I pick for this game might be different to the team against West Brom and QPR at home.”
Leeds, meanwhile, have been boosted by the returns of defender Pontus Jansson and midfielder Adam Forshaw, but the game comes too early for striker Kemar Roofe.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side drew 1-1 with the Lions at The Den last September, in a game which saw both benches clash before Jack Harrison’s 89th-minute equaliser.
Bielsa said: “Millwall is a team difficult to face. They have very clear styles. They came from two important games. It’s going to be a hard game, they will use counter-attacks and they are efficient in defense.”
Possible Millwall team
4-1-4-1
Martin; Romeo, Pearce, Cooper, Meredith; Leonard; J Wallace, Thompson, Tunnicliffe, Marshall; Gregory.
Match odds
Leeds 4/9 Draw 16/5 Millwall 11/2
Image: Millwall FC