JAMIE Philpot could make a big impact for Millwall this season, according to his manager Neil Harris.
Philpot, who only turned 19 last October, has been named on the bench for the last two league games but is not yet ready to challenge for a starting spot as he builds up his fitness and match sharpness after injury.
The striker is ahead of Alfie Pavey in the Millwall pecking order, and the latter could be loaned to a National League club this week.
Philpot managed to get on the scoresheet against Wolves in the last game of last season – during the only eight minutes he has played for the senior side so far in his career.
He suffered knee damage in that game that required surgery and a period of rehabilitation over the summer, and he was injured again in an U21 league game against Leeds earlier this season.
Harris admitted Philpot was rushed back sooner than was preferred with Lee Gregory out with a hamstring strain recently, but the Lions boss expects the young forward to make an impact in the coming weeks.
“We put him on the bench probably a good three or four weeks before we should have because numbers dictated,” Harris said.
“Jamie’s not played a game for the U21s yet. He’s been out for a few months, hasn’t played any football and then I’ve put him on the bench for the first team.
“So I think that goes to show that we are light in the attacking areas. Jamie won’t be ready to start for the first team for at least three to four weeks, so the start of February.
“He needs to play two 21s games, if not three, before being considered to be fit enough to start.
“Jamie’s a player I really like and when he’s fully fit certainly comes into the reckoning to play.”