Blackwell shocked over wages

Blackwell shocked over wages

Published Mar. 7, 2013 1:15 p.m. ET

Millwall striker Benik Afobe has gone back to Arsenal after his loan spell was cut short by a serious knee injury.

The 20-year-old will require surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Tuesday night's defeat by Wolves.

Afobe made five appearances for Millwall after making the switch to south London last month on a deal until the end of the season.

A Lions statement read: "Everybody at Millwall FC would like to wish Benik a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in action as soon as possible."

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Millwall boss Kenny Jackett this week also lost winger James Henry for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

The Shakers are under a transfer embargo for the second time this season after being forced to apply for a loan from the Professional Footballers' Association to pay players' wages.

And ahead of Saturday's clash with fellow League One relegation candidates Portsmouth, Blackwell revealed that trying financial times at Gigg Lane mean some of those figures amount to very little indeed.

"This is what people have got to get their heads around - I'm asking players to commit themselves to Bury football club, into tackles and whatever, and if they get injured they've got nowhere to go," he said.

"I had one or two letters from people saying 'these players get well paid'. Let me tell you, there was a lot of players here getting paid nothing and then some are paid £100 and £200 a week.

"You get more than that on the dole. They've shown their pride - they're not going to sign on the dole, they want to give it a go. They want to get their careers back on line.

"There's six or seven players who'll go to Portsmouth at the weekend earning less than the minimum wage and yet they're giving everything they've got for the club."

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