Jens Berthel Askou's immediate future is still up in the air after Millwall boss Kenny Jackett admitted he had yet to decide whether or not to extend the City defender's loan spell in south London.

Askou – who is 29 today – finishes a 28-day temporary spell at The Den on Saturday, after Millwall entertain Middlesbrough.

But Jackett is undecided about his future, and with Askou seemingly out of the picture at Carrow Road it could be a crucial decision for the Danish centre-half.

Canaries boss Paul Lambert is expected to reveal the extent of the hamstring injury suffered by Leon Barnett last weekend – a problem that has reduced him to just two fit specialist centre-halves in Elliott Ward and Zak Whitbread.

Lambert said he had no plans to bring Askou back for Saturday's trip to Leeds, leaving him likely to move into the emergency loan market to strengthen his resources.

Askou is therefore left waiting on Jackett, who admitted the City man's loan spell had been 'unlucky' after he was sent off on his debut, served a three-game suspension and was then an unused sub last weekend.

Jackett took Askou because of injury problems among his defence, and while Paul Robinson, Darren Ward – brother of Canaries defender Elliott – and Tony Craig are now back to full fitness, there are other issues which will affect the decision.

'We will see after Saturday's game as to whether we extend it or not,' said Jackett. 'One thing to consider will be Jens' opinion of how things have gone for him.

'He has been somewhat unlucky. I do like him and I do think he has got a future.

'While it is true some defenders are coming back from injury, we also have Darren Purse and Scott Barron who are on nine bookings and that is another consideration with the games coming up.'

Askou is one of a group of nine City players out on loan, including Matt Gill, who is enjoying better fortunes with League Two Walsall, where manager Dean Smith wants to keep him.

Smith confirmed yesterday that talks with Lambert were imminent.

'I would like to keep Matt and I will ask the question to Norwich but the important thing is if Matt wants to stay himself,' he said.

'We'll ask Norwich and hopefully they can do us a favour by letting us extend the loan. He's a good character around the dressing room and a great member of the squad. He's proved a good signing for us.'

Gill has scored twice in his seven games at the Banks' Stadium and helped spark a mini revolution which has seen them climb off the bottom of the table.

The former Fakenham High School pupil left the door open for an extended stay, but says his mind is on tomorrow's trip to Colchester.

'As far as I know Saturday is the last game and the manager is going to speak to Norwich and then take it from there,' he said. 'I'm sure I'll be the last one to find out.

'I've really enjoyed it, we've had some good results and it's been great. Who knows what will happen, but Saturday is important and to win it will be great for myself and the club.'

• Former City loan defender Ryan Bertrand says he is hoping to make an impact at Chelsea after the fourth loan spell of his career came to an end.

Bertrand has had spells at Bournemouth, Oldham Athletic, Norwich, Reading and Nottingham Forest but has yet to make a first team appearance for the Londoners.

The 21-year-old played 45 minutes of midweek reserve team win over West Ham and is now hoping to impress manager Carlo Ancelotti.

'It feels good to know I am here for the next few months with the backing of the manager, he says it's good to see me here and I'm looking forward to it,' Bertrand told chelseafc.com.

'I feel all right after the injury, and it was good to get 45 minutes out there.

'The last time I played for Chelsea was in pre-season but it's a long time since I played a competitive one in the reserves.'