Millwall are in the middle of a relegation battle and have been struck with several injuries in recent weeks.

Now, most of the players in the treatment room have all returned to the first-team action, but the fight to remain in the Championship persists.

Back in October, Neil Harris admitted he didn’t expect any permanent incomings or outgoings but acknowledged the statement made and said it was “early days.”

And it was early days indeed, as Tom Bradshaw has since been ruled out for the season.

Shaun Williams, meanwhile, is out for an extended period with ankle ligament damage.

Those key injuries, plus a loss of form will be a worry to Harris who has seemingly had a change of heart when it comes to new recruits and has moved to inform supporters on his updated January plans.

Harris had previously hinted at the possibility of a couple of loan deals but didn’t expect “wholesale changes” to his side but speaking to NewsAtDen; he issued an updated message heading into the busy festive period.

“We’re looking at players that will improve us as a squad,” Harris said. “Not just strikers but one-eleven to try to make us a better group to try to give us that injection, that boost that we had last January.

“We want to do that again; it’s just as important this year as last year.

“We are continuously scouring the market to see who’s available or who might be interested in coming. We’re speaking to clubs, speaking to agents but the reality is the availability of those players could change dramatically.

“We are mindful of that. Nailing down who exactly we want to get, we won’t do that today.

“As we’ve seen in the past, we have to be patient.”

The verdict

It’s good news that Neil Harris has seen that strengthening needs to occur in the new year.

Injuries have pushed him in that direction, but back in October, he thought the squad was fine as they had done so well last year, but their current position and form has suggested otherwise.

It has gone from a loan or so to look at players in positions all over the part – that to me seems like the move of a man who is concerned with his current squad.

Nevertheless, strengthening is needed to try and push clear of the relegation zone and ultimately get better and become a team that isn’t trying to survive in the second tier every season.