Millwall manager Neil Harris has admitted losing Jimmy Abdou and Ed Upson to injury is a huge blow, while insisting he’ll enter the loan market is necessary.

The midfield duo both hobbled off during the Lions’ 5-3 defeat to Peterborough last week, and are expected to be out of action for at least six weeks.

Abdou, 31, had enjoyed a consistent run in Harris’ team this season but now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury against the Posh.

“It’s a blow – I can’t hide the fact that they’re two really important players for us,” Harris said.

“Jimmy is Millwall – he just gives us that spirit and energy which is great.

“And Ed’s done really well.

“When I talk about players making an impact whether starting or coming off the bench, Ed does that.

“He gets the way we want to play, they both get it.

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“They’re big losses but other people get an opportunity – George has come in tonight and done really well, Lee Martin’s come back in the side and given something completely different tonight.

“Sometimes he tried a bit too hard with that final delivery but the positions he was getting in were great.

“There’ll be some opportunities for the young lads.”

Following the injuries, Harris brought in Wolves midfielder George Saville on a 28-day loan deal.

The 22-year-old – who had a brief spell at the club in 2013 – impressed on his second Millwall debut, and Harris admitted he could bolster his squad further with more loan moves.

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He added: “We’ll see, I like to use my own players preferably.

“If I feel that I need to bring someone in at any stage of the season that makes us a better team and a better squad, I won’t hesitate.

“We’re not actively going out tomorrow for someone but we’ll see.”

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