KENNY Jackett is hopeful Gary Alexander will be back to lead the line against Walsall after the striker suffered a horrific mouth injury against Colchester on Tuesday.

The forward’s teeth went through his lip two minutes before half-time, an injury which forced Alexander to spend the night in hospital after receiving stitches.

Millwall are already without the services of Neil Harris after he sustained a broken nose at Crewe on Saturday, but manager Jackett is quietly confident Alexander will return to face the Saddlers.

He said: “We are hoping he will train today and will see in the next 48 hours if he will be fit for Saturday.

“There has been quite a high turnover of strikers this year through injury, but in other positions we’ve been very settled.

“We’ve not really been able to settle down a front two but you aren’t going to get it absolutely right everywhere.

“I also have Ashley Grimes and Lewis Grabban, who has really played most of his football this season on the wing.

“Speaking to him, he is more confident in that position.”

Millwall will be looking to end a poor home run which has seen them pick up just seven points from 24 at The Den since the turn of the year when they entertain Walsall on Saturday.

Jackett admits he is none the wiser as to why the Lions have been so poor at home, although he is confident it is something which can quickly be put right.

He said: “There is no individual one thing I can put my finger on as a reason for that. We have struggled to pick up points and score goals at home but we can turn that around.

“We’ve had a good year compared to the last two or three.

“Our supporters have been right behind us and if they see any sort of encouragement out there on the pitch they are up.

“I can’t really put it down to a nervousness with the players, although we’ve talked to the players to try and put our finger on it.

“What we have to do in our remaining games is turn it around.”

He added: “I see them all as good chances and the next game is a good chance for us.

“Walsall have a new manager in Chris Hutchings, who is very experienced.

“For their own reasons they are going to want to finish their season well to go into next year.

“Everybody has got their own agenda, so you don’t expect any favours from anyone.”

Jackett also confirmed Harris is expected to put pen to paper on a new contract soon.

He added: “We are in negotiations with Neil at the moment but there doesn’t seem as if there are any problems.

“Neil is definitely out of the Walsall game but he will be back in training next week and should be available for selection for the Yeovil game.”