Freddie Sears played 45 minutes and Ben Morris and Grant Ward an hour each as they made their returns after lengthy spells out with ACL injuries as Town's U23s were beaten 4-1 by Millwall at The Den, Ben Folami netting the Blues’ goal.

Sears, 30, had been out since the Norwich game in February, while fellow striker Morris, 20, suffered his injury in the same month.

Midfielder Ward, who was injured at QPR on Boxing Day, was released at the end of last season but has remained at Playford Road with clubs obliged to get players fit before they depart.

The 25-year-old featured as a trialist with manager Paul Lambert having previously played down the chances re-signing the former Tottenham man.

The Lions took the lead in the 25th minute when George Alexander netted from the spot after Connor O'Reilly had fouled Junior Tiensia. Millwall doubled their advantage on 63 when Dan Moss hit home following a corner.

Folami pulled a goal back for the Blues three minutes later, the Australian U23 international following up after Bailey Clements’s effort had struck the bar.

But Harvey Bradbury made it 3-1 on 76 and with two minutes left on the clock Tiensia netted the Lions’ fourth.

Sears unsurprisingly put in a relatively understated display but will pleased to have finally got back into match action, as will Morris and Ward.

Former West Ham and Colchester man Sears is likely to need one or two more U23s games before being considered for the first team squad but may well be ready to be considered for involvement nearer to the busy Christmas-New Year period.

U23s: Przybek, O'Reilly, Fehrenbach, Ndaba, Clements, Hughes, Gibbs, Ward (Scott 60), Folami, Sears (K Brown 46), Morris (Foudil 60). Unused: Stewart, Alley.

Photo: TWTD

dirtydingusmagee added 14:59 - Dec 9 Dont mind ''UNDERSTATED'' , steady Freddie .
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runningout added 15:05 - Dec 9 4 blooming 1. :-?
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Pilgrimblue added 15:11 - Dec 9 No surprise bearing in mind the team we had, just good to get more players match fit.
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Linkboy13 added 15:32 - Dec 9 Results not that important in these glorified friendlies. Sears being fit for Christmas period seem a bit ambitious to me. If Ward shows a good attitude in these games which in the past he hasn't, take him on till rest of the season baring in mind the lack of creativity in our midfield. Morris is miles off being a first team player he failed to hold down a regular first team place at Forrest Green Rovers when they were struggling another loan spell at non league level might be appropriate.

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TR11BLU added 15:47 - Dec 9 Oh Freddie, Freddie!!
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Nazemariner added 15:57 - Dec 9 Fantastic to see all three back out on the pitch. We desperately need Freddie back in the first team, although i appreciate we won't see him back to his best for a long while yet. Ben Morris is has a bag full of potential provide his injury hasn't done too much harm, and Wardy could be very useful at this level.
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ITFCsince73 added 21:04 - Dec 9 Anyone who see Morris V Blackburn last season will know he has the class to rip up L1 defences. PH loaned him out straight after the game. Knocking his confidence to shreds. PL see the potential, recalled him, only to go down with current injury. The return of a young, fit and hungry Morris is most welcome imo.
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ITFCsince73 added 21:17 - Dec 9 I take it Linkboy you didn't see Blackburn game. And would rather judge Morris on his unhappy loan spell at Forest Green.
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runningout added 23:30 - Dec 9 We still have a few players that had below average loans at League 1 and 2 clubs. Not sure they made the most of it
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Linkboy13 added 12:56 - Dec 10 Yes i saw Blackburn game one game doesn't prove anything . I also watch u23s regularly Morris has done very well but he's not first team quality yet and will probably go out on loan again .
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ITFCsince73 added 14:26 - Dec 10 If it wasnt for the injury, he would be 1st team now. Cant see a loan happening, when fit he will be ready to challenge for the 1st 11. More of a threat than Robert's or Keane to start with.
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Linkboy13 added 16:22 - Dec 11 Morris Minors not ready for the first team yet Lambert doesn't want him clapped out. Eleven minutes against Blackburn and one good turn doesn't prove a thing. Perhaps he should go on loan to Car diff while he's running in.
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