Alex Neil fears Millwall midfielder Massimo Luongo faces long spell on sidelines

Millwall boss Alex Neil fears Massimo Luongo faces a long spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off during the 2-1 win against the midfielder’s former club QPR.

Luongo, who spent four years with the R’s, suffered what looked like a serious knee injury on his return to Loftus Road, marring an otherwise excellent day for the Lions.

Neil has had to contend with a number of injuries so far this season, with goalkeeper Steven Benda missing the London derby after joining the casualty list.

And the Scot admitted that summer signing Luongo, 33, looks likely to be out for some time.

Neil said: “I always think when a player goes down, especially a senior player, and he doesn’t really move and you start bringing things on to carry him off, it’s never a good sign.

“He’s planted his foot and turned and his knee went the opposite way. We’ll get a scan on Monday and see how that looks. I’m disappointed for him.”

Femi Azeez put Millwall ahead after 36 minutes and Rangers, who had not lost in six matches, faced an uphill task once Mihailo Ivanovic doubled the visitors’ lead in first-half stoppage time.

Rumarn Burrell scored an 85th-minute goal for QPR but they were unable to find an equaliser.

“I don’t think we played particularly well, if I’m being honest,” said Neil.

“What we did have is that we carried a threat, particularly in the first half. But we didn’t control the ball and the game as well as we know we can.

“However, we came to the form team – QPR have been good, are a threat and have got goals in them – and the most important thing for us is that we win the game.

“There have been games where we’ve played well and ended up not getting points. So, from our perspective, we’d much rather win.

“What I do know about us is that when we take the lead we’re a gritty team and we defend well.”

QPR boss Julien Stephan bemoaned his side’s missed chances and claimed their display was the best since he took over in the summer.

Paul Smyth had two early opportunities and, after pulling a goal back, Burrell should then have levelled but headed over from close range.

“We had some big chances in the first 20 or 25 minutes,” said Stephan.

“I think today was probably our best game since the start of the season. Yes, it was probably the best one, with more chances and more situations created against a good team with good momentum.

“If I had to sum up the game, it’s very simple; it’s a question of efficiency. We shot 20 times and we touched the ball 46 times in the box, and they shot only five times and scored two goals.

“We did a good game and were dominant on the pitch. But, in the end, when you have big chances you have to score.

“We scored for 2-1 and then had a big chance at the end with Rumarn with the header, so we had enough to score more goals – two, three or four goals. That’s why we lost this one.

“I have to distinguish the result from the performance. The performance was good but the most important thing is the result.”