Adam Barrett “focused fully” on prepping Millwall for Brentford derby as Gareth Ainsworth odds drop for Den vacancy

Adam Barrett says his sole focus is on preparing Millwall for Saturday’s derby at Brentford – with Gareth Ainsworth just behind Gary Rowett as the betting favourite to succeed Neil Harris.

Our paper broke the news on Friday that Barrett, in caretaker charge after the resignation of Harris and assistant David Livermore, would still be at the helm for the trip to Griffin Park.

Predictably Ainsworth’s odds tumbled at the start of this week after reports claimed his club Wycombe Wanderers had given permission for him to speak to the Lions and Sunderland, who sacked Jack Ross last week.

The Chairboys are second in the League One table.

Millwall are not giving any indicators of who is their favoured choice.

They made it clear that they would not be providing public updates following the departure of club legend Harris on October 3. A statement on the Lions website said at they time they “will now conduct a thorough recruitment process for a new manager. No further comment will be made until this is complete”.

It is understood that chairman John Berylson will fly in to interview the final shortlist of candidates.

Asked if he had held talks over the Den vacancy, Barrett said: “At the moment I’m just concentrating day by day. I’ve got to make sure everyone is prepared properly for Brentford.

“The chairman informed me in the middle of last week that he’d like me to take the Brentford match, which I’m delighted to do.

“That is what we are getting ready to do. We have got a few lads away on international duty, hopefully they come back fit and ready.

‘The chairman, chief executive and the football club are conducting themselves properly, like they always do. They will do their processes and work behind the scenes.

“I’m sure when there is something to be spoken about then everybody will know about it.”