Millwall are in contention for automatic promotion to the Premier League this season under Alex Neil.

The Lions have not competed in English football’s top flight since 1990, but they are currently just two points away from making their long-awaited comeback.

With only seven games remaining, the London club is only two points behind second-place Middlesbrough, but they are tied for third place with Ipswich Town, who have a game in hand.

Prior to the March international break, a 1-1 draw with the Tractor Boys kept the gaps in the table unchanged, with Boro also drawing against Blackburn Rovers.

However, seventh-place Wrexham is currently only six points behind, thus Millwall’s qualification for the play-offs is far from guaranteed.

Neil will be hoping to have all hands on deck for the last stretch, with a crucial few weeks ahead once the league resumes action.

Alex Neil reveals Will Smallbone’s fitness setback.

Neil has clarified Will Smallbone’s situation following his absence from last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

The Southampton loanee had returned to the team in recent weeks, coming off the bench for his first appearance since October in a 3-1 win against Hull on March 7, but he was again unavailable for selection last Saturday.

The Millwall manager indicated that the Ireland international suffered a slight injury and should not be out of action for long, though no timetable for his comeback was provided.

“He’s picked up a niggle,” Neil told NewsAtDen.

“He won’t be available for the next few weeks.

“It’s one we’ll probably return in a few days.

“It’s not crystal clear.”

Smallbone joined Millwall in the summer after Southampton were relegated from the Premier League.

He has made nine Championship appearances for the Lions this season, with injury difficulties restricting his playing time.

Neil hopes the 26-year-old can assist the club battle for promotion to the Premier League.

Millwall will return to action on April 3rd with a key encounter against promotion rivals Middlesbrough, underscoring the need of all hands on deck in the final weeks.’

The Lions will travel to the Riverside for a 12.30pm kick-off, and a win will move them into second place in the table, with Ipswich not playing again until April 6.

Will Smallbone’s injury concerns have been frustrating.

Smallbone has demonstrated in his limited playing time for the club that he has a role to play in Millwall’s promotion quest, but his fitness difficulties have limited what he can offer the team.

It’s frustrating that he’s again on the sidelines, and Neil hopes he won’t be out for long.

But he was being eased back into the lineup with substitute minutes, and this current injury may jeopardize his efforts to return to full health as soon as possible.

We’ve reached a point in the season where any kind of knock may cost the squad a lot of money since there are so few games left, and Millwall will need everyone available to keep up with the automatic promotion battle.