In-house match set to raise the pre-season training stakes at Millwall as boss Harris says fixture schedule is “phenomenal”

Millwall’s squad will play an in-house match at the end of this week as their pre-season preparations go up a notch.

The Lions have a competitive friendly the following weekend at League Two side Gillingham before flying off for their training camp in Alicante, Spain.

Millwall fans will be able to attend the matches against Nottingham Forest (July 23) and Real Murcia (July 26) at the Pinatar Arena.

The Lions confirmed yesterday that Premier League new boys Southampton are set to be their opposition on August 3 along with behind-closed-doors matches against Charlton, Colchester, Reading and Bromley.

“This week will culminate in an in-house 45 minutes – 11v11 – between ourselves,” Millwall head coach Neil Harris told the South London Press. “That’s always really good to see, because it is the first real part of competitive action the players get.

“It always spices it up because internally they are in identical positions and want to out-compete each other, as sportsmen naturally want to do.

“I’ve said to the players: ‘Every training session, every pre-season fixture and every moment they are in the building is an opportunity for them to impress me and the staff’.

“I really look forward to seeing the U21 players. What it does at the moment when the squad is slightly lighter in first-team personnel – with Wes Harding still away and coming back over the weekend (after Copa America action for Jamaica) – it gives them the opportunity to showcase their ability and really put down a marker.

“There is always a young player that stands out and probably is a little bit of a surprise to everybody.

“While we are searching for the right personnel to come in it gives the young players a real opportunity. Let’s be honest, when we play behind closed doors and go to Gillingham there will be four or five U21 players that will get a chance to impress. Our fans who travel will be excited to see them.

“Millwall versus Forest and Millwall versus Real Murcia – I can imagine the excitement.

“I do need to apologise to the fans on behalf of Millwall Football Club because I know ultimately they want us to play (in front of them) but it is the reality of the world now that a lot of pre-season games are behind closed doors, just because of cost implications and it is so much easier for us to manage player loads and expectations.

“The games programme we have put together is phenomenal.

“It’s the best I’ve been involved in at a football club. We will be ready for the start of the season.

“Yes, the first three or four fixtures before we go to Spain were set up before I got here. I’m not saying I would have organised the games, but I was content with it and I’m certainly not in the thought process of ripping up any plans made already and breaking obligations – not at all.”

Millwall have had four fixtures moved for live coverage by Sky Sports – Watford (August 10, 12.30pm), Hull (August 24, 12.30pm), Luton Town (September 14, 12.30pm) and Queens Park Rangers (September 21, 12.30pm).