Midfield general Nicky Bailey has played down the incident in Saturday’s 2-2 friendly draw at Stevenage which left him with a stitch. 

Bailey went down under a challenge after four minutes and received treatment before coming back on to score the Lions’ opener. 

And although the former Middlesbrough player admits to initially losing his cool, he was able to remain calm and see out the 45 minutes.

Bailey confirmed: “I got a stitch in my leg.

“I didn’t see it at first and the referee said it wasn’t a foul.

“Then I just lost my head once Isaw the gash but it’s all right now.”

He added: “Obviosuly it’s a big game for them, so they are going to come out all guns blazing. 

“I’ve been in games like that before – I’ve played in games against higher teams and you want to do well.

“You’re going to expect that and I lost my head for a bit but I was all right after.”

Bailey was asked to come off by Millwall physio Bobby Bacic but the midfielder insisted he was fit enough to carry on.

“He said come off” Bailey admitted.

“I said no as we were only playing 45 minutes. It was all about getting fit.

“Dartford last Tuesday was a shock to the system for a few of us.

“The more games we play, hopefully we will be a lot fitter.”

Many fans would have noticed a more lean, fitter Bailey on Saturday and he revealed he has been working hard over the summer. 

He said: “I’ve been trying over the course of the off season.

“Hopefully it benefits me when the season starts.

“Last year I was injured, it was hard to get going.

“This year there are no excuses. Hopefully I’ll be fit.”

“I came in a bit later (last year from Boro) so I missed the first two weeks last season and didn’t really see what they done.”

Bailey also backed manager Ian Holloway to make sure the Lions are fighting it out at the right end of the Championship table this time after last season’s relegation battle.

“Holloway knows what he is doing, he has a good team behind him and we listen to what they say. 

“He’s working us hard.”

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