Promotion hopefuls Millwall and Norwich City face off at the Den in one of the EFL’s games of the weekend on matchday 2.

Both are expected to qualify for the enlarged play-offs in May, with some outside expectations of breaking into the top two, something Alex Neil’s team came close to doing last season.

Millwall continued where they left off last year on opening day, defeating 10-man Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Meanwhile, Norwich City lost 2-1 at Carrow Road to West Bromwich Albion, despite missing numerous chances.

Philippe Clement’s team will not want to lose two games in a row to start the season, but the Den is a difficult place to play, and Millwall will be eager to build on their momentum in their first home league game of the season.

It will be an exciting duel, but regrettably, these ten guys will not be present.

Femi Azeez

Millwall began the new season with a few key players out injured, and that list extended when star player Femi Azeez was forced to leave after 30 minutes due to a hamstring ailment.

Lions manager Alex Neil claimed that he could miss a week or two due to the injury sustained during the game, but dismissed the notion that last weekend could have been his final game for the club, following a breakout season in which he scored 19 goals in 35 games.

Millwall is said to value the brilliant winger at over £30 million, and his future in South-east London remains uncertain as the window nears its end.

Tristan Crama

Tristan Crama also enjoyed a breakout season last year, developing as a towering right-back, while Jake Cooper and Caleb Taylor featured in the middle of the defence.

He played every game last season, but missed the season opener last week due to a second ankle operation in the off-season earlier this month during a friendly versus Royal Antwerp.

Derek Mazou-Sacko

Derek Mazou-Sacko, a young midfielder, did not play much in his debut year at Millwall, but he did start three of the final four games in a crucial run-in and was named from the start in both play-off semi-final legs against Hull City.

He had a training setback before their EFL Cup victory against QPR a fortnight ago and will continue to lose time with the calf ailment.

Alfie Doughty

Alfie Doughty has had a rocky year at Millwall. Everyone knows his talent; he demonstrated it in the Premier League with Luton Town, but injuries and inconsistency have kept him from getting going at the Den.

His latest setback, a hamstring issue, will keep him out for the first month of the season.

Mihailo Ivanovic

Many Millwall fans are optimistic about their attacking chances this season after Josh Coburn scored twice on the opening day. If the former Middlesbrough player can maintain his fitness, he could find himself near the top of the goalscoring leaderboard.

The entire forward line, however, is not fully healthy, as Mihailo Ivanovic continues to miss time after fracturing his metatarsal in early July. Earlier this week, Alex Neil said that he would not be returning for another several weeks.

Mathis Servais

Mathis Servais, Millwall’s new number eight, has yet to make his first appearance for the club after sustaining a hamstring injury in a pre-season friendly against Bromley in July.

Last season, the 21-year-old scored four goals in the Belgian top division for KV Mechelen.

Ali Ahmad

On the away side, Norwich City’s key absentee is Ali Ahmed, who is expected to miss the bulk, if not the whole, 2026/27 season after suffering an ACL injury the week before the season began.

Ali Ahmed participated in the Championship last season.

Appearances (starts).

19 (16)

Goals

4

Assists

3

The 25-year-old scored seven goals in the second half of the season after joining from MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps in January.

Lucien Mahovo

Left-back Lucien Mahovo suffered an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly against Colchester United last month, and it was reported he will miss the start of the season.

There is some hope that new newcomer Darlin Yongwa, who missed last week owing to a lack of pre-season, will be able to make his debut after a full week of training.

Mirko Topic

Mirko Topic, a Serbian international, played only a game and a half under Philippe Clement before suffering an ACL injury in late November, which has kept him out ever since.

The defensive midfielder should be nearing the end of his recovery, but after not being identified by Clement as someone close to returning before last week’s game, like Jovan Makama and Gabe Forsyth, Millwall will be too soon for a comeback.

Ante Crnac

Similarly, Ante Crnac has been sidelined since October with an ACL injury and has yet to play for Philippe Clement.

The 22-year-old is also nearing the end of his recovery and expressed this week his desire to impress the Belgian manager once he is fit and ready to play. In his debut season at Carrow Road two years ago, he scored seven goals in 38 league games.