GARY Rowett said Aidomo Emakhu’s performances has given him “food for thought” and has helped the 19-year-old fight his way into the reckoning.
Emakhu came off the bench in the final pre-season match against Fortuna Sittard and once again looked energetic and lively.
Millwall lost 2-1 but the game underlined the Irishman’s potential days after his starring role in the Lions’ fightback against Charlton.
Rowett was left so impressed he even used Emakhu as an example to the rest of the dressing room after the game.
The Millwall manager said: “When we started pre-season we probably had two or three good loan enquiries on him from league clubs. And [we wondered] do we let go out and experience six months of football that will be really valuable for him?
“What I will say is he does himself no harm with the performances. I spoke to the players in there and said ‘it shouldn’t really be Aidomo coming on and trying to inject something into the game.’
“But actually he’s done that. He’s got pace, he’s direct, it’s not always going to work when you’re going at people but he certainly looks like he’s going to make things happen. And if can do it against Charlton and do it against a top-flight Dutch team, why can’t you do it in the league?
“So I think that’s the question he’s posed us and he’s done that because he’s earned the right. He’s done it from his performances. And whilst I’m also aware we have to think about how that will look in the season and how much game time that is going to equate to, I also think he’s a good option. And he’s certainly given me food for thought. As I stand here, he will definitely be in our plans.”
Emakhu ends pre-season as Millwall’s second top scorer in friendlies in front of fans with his two goals only behind Kevin Nisbet’s five.