MILLWALL could dip into the Premier League loan market in January – but not at the risk of upsetting the balance of the squad or their long-term building plans.
The Lions currently have Jayson Molumby on loan from top-flight Brighton, and he has become a popular player with his team-mates and Millwall fans.
This weekend’s opponents, Charlton, were much busier in the top-flight summer loan market. Lee Bowyer signed Beram Kayal, Molumby’s team-mate at Brighton, and Josh Cullen from West Ham.
Conor Gallagher has made a big impact since joining on loan from Chelsea, with five goals in fifteen games. Bowyer also took Sam Field from West Brom.
Neil Harris signed Bart Bialkowski and Luke Steele on loan from Ipswich and Nottingham Forest in the summer. But Bialkowski’s loan was out of necessity rather than design after a proposed permanent move fell through, while Steele joined as cover for Frank Fielding until January.
Millwall have a relatively small squad, with just one out-and-out left-back in Murray Wallace. They could also lose Bialkowski in January if Ipswich accept a bid for him.
Rowett signed Kasey Palmer on loan for Derby from Chelsea in 2017-18 as the Rams finished sixth in the Championship.
As Stoke manager Rowett recruited Ashley Williams and Cuco Martina on temporary bases from Everton.
Rowett is aware the Lions squad can be quickly stretched with injuries and suspensions and was meeting with head of recruitment Alex Aldridge this week to pore over the club’s database of potential targets.
Rowett wants Millwall to play a more controlled possession game, which could mean an alteration to the list of transfer targets that was being compiled under former boss Neil Harris.
“You always want your own players to develop, you want to create a good team and also good assets for the club,” Rowett said.
“But I think the Premier League loan window, and the Championship’s, is a good window to supplement a small group with players. You might be able to get players for perhaps less cost than a permanent signing.
“You always look to do that. I don’t think you want too many in your side because there’s no point building your team around two, three, four players on loan but then they go back at the end of the season and you’ve got to start again.
“I think there can be one or two sensible additions. You look at Gallagher for Charlton who’s been a good signing for them on loan.
“There are areas you’re always looking at. We’ve done it with Jayson Molumby.”
Image: Millwall FC