Millwall have been given a major boost ahead of Saturday’s Den clash with Gillingham after manager Kenny Jackett confirmed Gary Alexander is available for selection.

Alexander suffered a heel injury against Leeds in late October and has been forced to watch from the stands as the Lions have gone on to mount a serious challenge for automatic promotion.

But Jackett revealed the player’s long road to recovery was finally over and the 30-year-old could feature in some capacity against the Gills.

He said: “Gary Alexander had a good week last week and should I need him as a substitute against Gillingham on Saturday then I think he is ready.

“Steve Morison had a knock and we will have a look at him later but I think he should be ok.

“There will be a derby feel to the Gillingham game.

“Obviously for Gillingham, Millwall is a big game and that will be reflected in the atmosphere.

“With our position in the league and the opportunity to get promoted, we will have very good backing as well so it falls to us to set the tempo of the game.

“Gillingham deservedly beat us at their place and we possibly do owe them one. We will certainly have to do a lot better than we did that day anyway.

“We want to keep our run going and we have a great chance at the back end of the season to go up.”

The Lions received a further boost yesterday when defender Tony Craig signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at The Den until 2013.

“Tony Craig has been a key player since I got him from Crystal Palace and I’ve been pleased with his contribution,” added the manager.

“It shows good commitment to the club from him to re-sign.

“I think that is round about it at the moment in terms of our contract negotiations.

“Right at the end of the season we are just concentrating on our games as it gets tighter and the stakes get higher.

“We aren’t necessarily talking to anyone else at the moment.”

Jackett added: “There are always comings and goings.

“Perhaps as you go on, you hope that is less but you never know what the future brings.

“You look for a core of players to be very strong in your dressing room and who want to do well for the club.

“This has been my aim in terms of contract negotiations during the second half of this season.”