LENNY TO GET LIONS ROARING

MILLWALL manager Gary Rowett reckons the return of Ryan Leonard will be a game-changer in their promotion fight.

The midfielder helped the Lions see out victory in Cardiff after coming on as a second-half sub for his first action since August.

Welshman Tom Bradshaw’s 26th-minute strike left Rowett’s men just two points below thirdplaced Watford with a game in hand. And the boss is delighted to have Leonard back after so long.

“He’s a top, top player,” said Rowett (above).

“He can play right-sided centre-back, right wingback, midfield. He’s got energy, legs, and he covers the ground so quickly.

“You saw it when he came on, he had a huge impact for us.

“He is one that we’ve held back because we are desperate to keep him fit and he’s desperate to stay fit. He’s been really, really unlucky, and he just needs a little bit of a break.

“We need him to get through the next three or four weeks and try to stay fit until the end of the season, because he’s a huge player for us.

“You can only applaud the players out there for giving everything they’ve got. That’s a big three points for us.”

The Bluebirds are just three points above the relegation zone.

Fans protested against owner Vincent Tan before the match and booed the team off at the end but caretaker manager Dean Whitehead refused to blame off-field issues.

“I don’t think the protest, or the booing affected the players,” he said.

“The fans got behind them during the game.

“We just need to win matches. As soon as we win a couple of games, you’ll see a completely different atmosphere.”