Millwall caretaker manager Adam Barrett, who has been linked with the vacant Southend United job in recent weeks, has praised central midfielder Ryan Leonard.

Leonard limped off against Leeds United on the weekend in the 2-1 win after just 28 minutes, and was pictured leaving the stadium on crutches as his team-mates celebrated a win that could change their season for the better.

On the midfielder, Barrett said: "He has been getting better and better the last two performances so fingers crossed it isn’t too bad for him."

The central midfielder has made 10 appearances so far in the league and has been putting in some impressive performances by dictating the play and splitting up opposition attacks as a deep-lying playmaker at The Den.

Having picked up just the one yellow card this season as well, Leonard has partnered the likes of Jayson Molumby and Jed Wallace well in the Millwall midfield, not making many mistakes in the centre of the park.

Leonard originally signed for Millwall in August 2018 on loan for the season but made the move permanent for a club-record fee in January and made over 30 league appearances during his first season in the capital.

Leonard's career started out with Plymouth Argyle where he spent time on loan with Weston-super-Mare and Tiverton Town before heading to Southend United in 2011 and spending seven seasons by the coast.

The Verdict:

Leonard is an important player for Millwall as his early-season performances have shown. and Leonard will be looking to get back to full fitness once his injury has been assessed and hope that it's not serious.

If Leonard can come back and carry on his recent form, then the midfielder's going to make Millwall a better all-round outfit.

[freshpress-poll ]