Millwall boss Gary Rowett has provided a fitness update on Shane Ferguson, with the Northern Irish international back in training for the Lions.

According to News at Den, the 28-year-old could be back in contention to face Nottingham Forest this Friday if he comes through the week without any setbacks.

Ferguson has been missing since Millwall's 2-1 defeat to Reading at the start of November, after sustaining damage to the cartilage in his knee.

Gary Rowett has said that Ferguson's availability is down to whether his knee reacts badly to training this week.

“The specialist told us to let it settle down for a few days. It’s settled down and he [Ferguson] went and trained [Monday]. He felt okay.

It’s whether when he comes in [Tuesday] has it reacted, has it swelled up, or is it okay? He’ll probably train again [Tuesday] and it will be over a week or two when we’ll see if he can manage it."

Rowett also said that the potential bad news for Ferguson is that surgery may be required on the knee if the injury flares up once again, but the Millwall boss will be hoping that is the worst-case scenario.

Ferguson has made twelve league appearances so far this season for Millwall, playing a total of 607 minutes as a left back or left-sided midfielder.

The true or false Millwall quiz - Can you get 15/15?

The Verdict

This is positive news for Millwall on the injury front, considering the recent setback that Ryan Leonard has had a further setback in training.

Ferguson will be glad to return to first-team training, but there is always a risk of his problem returning in the future, which could rule the 28-year-old for a sustained period of time if it does managed to be aggravated.