Millwall would be keen on permanent deal for Dan Ballard – if Arsenal were ever ready to sell

Millwall are keen on a permanent deal for Daniel Ballard if Arsenal were ever ready to listen to offers for the centre-back.

A report earlier this week claimed that the Gunners were set to take up an extension clause in the 22-year-old’s contract, which is due to expire at the end of June.

Ballard has been a regular in the Lions’ line-up since arriving on a season-long loan on July 1.

“We took him on the basis that we’d see if Dan could help us and we could help his career develop, in the same way it did last year at Blackpool,” Millwall manager Gary Rowett told the South London Press. “That was really the plan.

“When you see him playing and you have worked with him, it has crossed my mind that if ever there was an opportunity to buy Dan then, of course, we’d be interested.

“He’s a really good fit and a little bit of Millwall as well, in the way he plays.

“The way he is developing means he would be a fabulous player for any Championship side to have.

“The reality is that, a bit like Jayson Molumby, when a player comes and does well then at the end of their loan they either go to another one that is perceived to be the next step or they go back to challenge in their parent club.

“Who knows what the next step is, because we’re only 16 games into the season. What I would say is he is a great character who trains really well and is really popular. He has huge potential.

“There is still a lot of work to do to get Dan there. We’ll focus on that.

“But if ever Dan should be available then I’m pretty sure we’d be interested. But I’d imagine that would be along with plenty of other sides.”

Rowett took the decision to rest Ballard for Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Reading. The defender had started all 15 Championship matches prior to that, along with representing Ireland.

“It was a combination of things,” said Rowett. “He had played so many games and had an issue with his knee and his ankle. He’s been fatigued.

“I felt at some point he’s going to need a breather to get him through the season and make sure he’s not injured or his performance is impaired.

“I decided to take it out of his hands, really, because he’s the type of lad who wants to play and be available for every game. – that’s why we like him so much. The debate is whether we do that again at the weekend and give him a real chance to recover and feel good again.

“When you get to these international breaks it is such a relief physically for players to come off it for the first week. But Dan is going harder at it and then comes back and has to get through the next bit.

“We’ll have to be the ones to manage that, rather than Ireland.”