Isaac Olaofe: I know I’ll get a chance to impress at Millwall

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Isaac Olaofe is confident his time to shine at Millwall will come. The 21-year-old striker rejoined Sutton United on loan earlier this week. Olaofe’s 14 goals in 37 appearances last season helped the U’s clinch promotion to the EFL for the first time in their history.

Lions manager Gary Rowett was keen to run the rule over the Lewisham-born striker, nicknamed Tanto, during their preparations for the 2021-22 Championship campaign. But Olaofe has ended up missing nearly all of their pre-season after suffering tendon damage to his hip flexor.

He is due to resume full training on September 13.

“I did the injury just a couple of days before we were going to go to Scotland,” said Olaofe. “I remember going for a 50-50 in training and I felt it straight away.

“I felt a sharp pain and I thought it was something I could just run off. I tried carrying on for another five minutes but I couldn’t move as efficiently as normal.

“The first week of rehab was just rest and icing it, then laser therapy. Once it was less sore then you can start going back to the gym and do exercises there to strengthen in and around that area.

“Obviously it felt devastating after the season I’d just had. You’re raring to go for pre-season and looking to make a lasting impression. So for something to happen like that, on the third day back, was quite unfortunate.

“I was a bit disheartened but I knew what I had signed myself up for with the sport of football. Things like this come along. I accepted it. I put my head down and just cracked on with working and getting back fit.”

Millwall have a recall option on Olaofe in January. It allows all parties to reassess the situation at the start of 2022.

The forward had originally set his sights on a League One club. But Sutton were always well-placed to land his services again. The young frontman went to their home EFL Trophy tie against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, a 3-0 win for Matt Gray’s side.

“Due to the injury it kind of set me back and I knew if I was going to go to League Two then I wanted to go back to Sutton,” he explained. “I did have various options in League Two to choose from, but I felt the best fit was to go back to a team that I’m familiar with. I’ve got a relationship already with the players, fans, manager and staff there.

“Sutton was a perfect fit. It’s a good decision.

“The moments I had there before will stick with me forever, regardless of where I go in the future

“When you love a sport so much it is frustrating to sit on the side watching for the past eight or nine weeks.

“I want to pick up momentum again. I was high last season and I’ve come down, simply because I got injured.

“Even though I still want to prove myself [at Millwall] I have plenty of time to do so. I’m still young, as well.”

Olaofe was 11th in the National League top scorers last season – but six players who finished above him played more matches. He had joined St Johnstone on loan but cut short that arrangement in October after making two Scottish Premiership appearances.

So does he have a goal target this time around?

“I was thinking about that earlier,” said Olaofe. “If I’m scoring two or three goals every month that is kind of the aim I’m trying to set myself.

“But I just want to contribute as much to the team as I can, similar to last season. Even if I’m not scoring then I’ll be trying to put the performances in and giving everything I can to the team and the club.”

Olaofe was voted Sutton’s Young Player Of The Year.

“I’d like to thank Millwall, especially Harvey Bussell [head of recruitment], for their help in arranging the loan,” said Sutton boss Gray.

“I’m delighted to get Tanto back after he did so well for us last season, with his goals being so crucial to our championship success.”