Millwall are one club submerged in the Championship’s relegation scrap, with the end to this season promising to be the polar opposite of what Neil Harris’ side were experiencing last year.

12 months ago Millwall were flying in the Championship and mounting a serious push for the play-offs, but it is the other end of the table they’re fighting at this year, with Harris hoping to prevent his beloved side dropping back into the third-tier.

Luckily for Millwall it looks like it’ll be one club from four, with Ipswich and Bolton seemingly doomed. That leaves Millwall battling with Rotherham, Wigan and Reading to avoid the dreaded drop.

And, the mood around the New Den will have taken a hit with the news that Reading will be boosted by the return of Nelson Oliveira before the end of the season.

Reading are in a false position in the table in many ways, with their problem that they are toothless in attack without the Portuguese. Oliveira has three goals in six games in a Royals shirt, with that form helping lift Jose Gomes’ side out of serious trouble last month.

However, his hamstring injury put their revival on hold, with Millwall looking like they’d be one of the clubs to benefit.

But learning he could be back for the final few fixtures of the season gives Reading a boost and serves their rivals a warning that they better get points on the board fast.

Millwall are included in that pool of clubs, and with Harris’ side facing the likes of Leeds, West Brom, Sheffield United and Aston Villa before then, there’s even more reason to be worried.

A year ago Millwall were enjoying the freedom of being the underdogs, but now they are going to have to come through a tough run of fixtures intact if they are to survive a second year in the Championship – particularly with a main rival preparing to welcome back an ace in the pack.