Millwall striker Gary Alexander is battling to be fit for the start of the new season.

The 29-year-old, who scored twice during Millwall's 3-2 Wembley play-off final defeat by Scunthorpe in May, has a cyst on his knee which is preventing him from joining pre-season training.

"We are taking things at a steady pace because we would like to avoid surgery if at all possible," said physio Bobby Bacic.

Defender Zak Whitbread is also sitting out training with a thigh problem while youngster Pat O'Connor requires surgery on a cruciate-ligament injury.