Millwall boss on the missing link in this transfer window – and why Mahoney missed out on squad for Fulham

Gary Rowett would like to add one more attacker to his Millwall squad before the transfer window shuts on August 31.

The Lions have less than two weeks before the cut-off for deals but look likely to need to offload at least a couple of fringe players to free up funds.

Midfielder Ben Thompson and striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson are the most likely movers. The former has interest from League One clubs, including Portsmouth, but they are only offering to pay a small percentage of his salary.

Winger Connor Mahoney did not make their matchday 18 for Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss to Fulham.

The former Bournemouth man has played just 23 minutes of football this season, coming on against Portsmouth in the EFL Cup.

Asked about Mahoney, Rowett replied: “In fairness to Connor, he probably has not had as much opportunity in games as he would like, or some people would like.

“I have to judge everything on what I see daily. I have to pick the team based on what I see every day.

“Those are the tough decisions we have to make. He’ll get his opportunity and what he’s got to do is take it – like any player who is not in the starting 11.”

Millwall have brought in five players in the window with two of those, Daniel Ballard and Benik Afobe, on season-long loans.

Rowett has a target lined up if he is given the green light.

“I want someone who will be that creative link between the midfield and attack, someone who is going to open up the final third a little bit, with a bit of skill or movement.

“We have got a solid back five and two good, athletic wing-backs. Sav [George Saville] is probably better coming from deep and making runs from deep.

“We have got two mobile forwards. What we need is someone in between. We’ve lacked a tiny bit of a spark in a couple of games when you really want it. Even though we played well against Blackburn we lacked that little bit of something to go past someone.

“When Scottie Malone gets into the final third I think something is going to happen. We want to open things up for Benik [Afobe] and Jed [Wallace], to bring them to life.”

Rowett was yesterday set to show his players footage from the derby reverse to Fulham – with  the display of Fabio Carvalho featuring.

“Fulham’s ability was one thing – but also the way they ran,” said the Lions boss, pictured below. “There were several times where Carvalho was chasing Mahlon [Romeo] 70 yards up the pitch, he wins the ball and then he runs the other way – just as quick.

“I’ve been in the division for seven or eight years and they are as good a side as I’ve seen.

“Even though we scored late they could’ve been out of sight. We competed well at times, but we didn’t compete for long enough periods.”