Millwall injury blow as length of Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn's absence is revealed

Millwall's Josh Coburn leaves the field injured
-Credit: (Image: PA)


Josh Coburn has suffered an injury blow early into his Millwall loan, with the Middlesbrough striker expected to miss the next six to eight weeks.

Coburn limped off in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Luton Town after just 32 minutes. The Boro loanee had suffered a groin issue, with manager Neil Harris saying they would have to wait for swelling to go down before they could scan it and find out the severity of the issue.

Offering an update three days on, Harris told South London Press: “Josh Coburn is going to be out for six to eight weeks. That’s the bad news. We’re going to see how it settles in the next 14 days. He’s a player we chased all summer. We finally get him in the building and he starts with a goal on his debut – to lose him is disappointing. It’s one of those things."

READ MORE: 'Exactly why' - Michael Carrick on Josh Coburn's loan start and interactions with Millwall fans

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Harris had chased Coburn throughout the summer, even trying to make a permanent move happen before Boro settled on a loan exit for the 21-year-old. After last season's injury troubles, he was determined to go there and make a big impression in the hope of impressing Michael Carrick back on Teesside.

Instead, it's another Teessider in Macaulay Langstaff who might profit from Coburn's misfortune. The summer signing from Notts County is in line to start Saturday's London derby against QPR, after replacing Coburn against Luton.

"One person’s misfortune is another one’s gain. I thought Macaulay Langstaff played very well when he came on and was very unlucky not to open his account for the club. He’s a natural goalscorer, so I’m sure that goal won’t be far away. We’re hoping Mihailo Ivanovic is going to be fit soon as well. We’re hoping to have a few more options at the top end of the pitch than we have maybe got this weekend.”