Millwall boss answers defender questions as Arsenal loan signing changes selection dynamics

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has made it clear that Danny McNamara will get first-team opportunities despite the summer transfer window addition of Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

Arsenal defender Norton-Cuffy has signed on a season-long loan and has started the two matches he has been available for.

Lions academy product McNamara, 24, did not come on in the 1-0 victory over Stoke City and was a 75th minute introduction in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham before the international break.

McNamara has made 104 appearances for Millwall and been capped at U21 level by Republic of Ireland.

Asked about his prospects of game time, Rowett told the South London Press: “If you look at our squad, you have to have competition for places. You have to have players that have to play well to keep their shirt. If you don’t have that then you don’t have the right balance in your squad. That means from time to time you are going to have two very good players for one position.

“If you look at Brooke and Danny, for example, they are both really, really good players. They have got different attributes.

“At the moment Brooke has started the last couple but there are going to be games, and there are going to be times, when Danny gets his opportunity again and he has to play well to stay in the team.

“Sometimes the outside world sees a player sign and thinks ‘well, that player is not ever going to play for the club again’. It just doesn’t work like that. You have to move forward as a club, as a team and as a manager to keep strengthening attributes that you want in your team.

“It is up to those players to earn the right to play. We have got very, very good players – particularly in that position.”