Neil Harris could have Tom Elliott to call on this weekend when Millwall travel to Swansea City.

The striker could return to full training this week, according to NewsAtDen, in a bid to play at the weekend.

But, NewsAtDen is reporting that the recovery from injury could come with the bittersweet news that the 28-year-old could require surgery in the close season to fully heal the problem.

Elliott’s full-fitness remains in doubt, but his return will be most welcome to give the club’s attacking options a boost.

“Seven, eight times out of 10 you can delay an op and do it in the closed season,” Harris said.

“Or it just heals itself, and you don’t need one. Or you take the risk, and it goes again. So that’s why we wanted a forward in January.

“Tom’s progressing really well. One thing he’s certainly got is the desire to get back out on the training pitch; he’s really pushing.

“He feels great, but you can’t recreate with the physios what you get on the football pitch or in non-contact training.

“We have to be really sure to give him every opportunity to be fit and to stay fit. This weekend will be too soon, and after that, we’ll take it every couple of days.”

The striker has three goals this term in 23 appearances and will be a focal point for Harris once he returns to the side to battle it out for a place in the team with the likes of Lee Gregory and Steve Morison.

Any return would leave Harris with a dilemma as to what system to play at the Liberty Stadium with the option of persisting with 4-3-3 or reverting to their familiar 4-4-2 system.

The verdict

Will Elliott be fully fit or will it be a case of rushing him back to add another attacking option to his side.

His injury saw Harris move to a new system in a more possession-based game, with less direct forward balls.

But if he returns could it be the return of what many of the fans call ‘hoofball’? That remains to be seen.

What I guess is the real crux of the matter is, will returning, if the injury is not fully healed, or heals itself putting the player at risk if he can’t perform to the best of his ability?

It’s risky, but with the Lions in a relegation battle, needs must, I guess.