Rowett happy with Muller after Palace friendly
Gary Rowett praised Millwall youngster Hayden Muller after the defender stepped into his side just before yesterday’s 1-0 friendly loss against Crystal Palace.
Jiri Skalak was set to start at right wing-back for Millwall on Tuesday but picked up an injury during the warm up meaning Muller was given the chance from the start.
“Jiri would have started out there but he got injured during the warm up but I thought Hayden did well in some instances of the game,” said Rowett.
“There were a couple of times in the second half he was slipped into positions but it’s not natural for him to get into those positions high up the pitch, but I thought there were some good moments.”
The Lions boss is hopeful that Skalak’s issue is only minor as Millwall play their first competitive
“I don’t think it’s anything too serious, he’s warmed up and felt it towards the end, it just affected our organisation a little bit, but it was a chance for someone else.
Right-back Mahlon Romeo hasn’t featured in any of the Lions’ pre-season matches following the groin injury he picked up at the end of last season but Rowett is hopeful he will be fit for Millwall’s Championship opener against Stoke City on September 12.
“I’d hope he (Romeo) wouldn’t be too far away for that, I think the concern would be just the lack of minutes he’s had,” said the Lions boss.
“He is a little bit down on the minutes anyway because he’s had a groin issue, obviously the issue has cleared up but we haven’t been able to work him too hard pre-season in case that flared up again.
“Mahlon is a pretty athletic boy, so I don’t suppose that will be too much of a problem.”