“At his best he is a top wing-back in this division” – Millwall boss Gary Rowett has praise for Mahlon Romeo

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has praised Mahlon Romeo’s recent displays and feels part of that is down to the full-back being pressured by Danny McNamara.

The duo are vying for the right-sided defensive spot.

McNamara came into the side for a run of six successive Championship matches but Romeo returned to the starting line up at the start of February and has played the full 90 minutes in the last seven games.

Rowett said: “Mahlon is a top wing-back and he has needed the bit between his teeth with that competition from Danny, who is good enough to go and play in the team – as he has shown.

“My only thing with Mahlon is that sometimes I don’t think he realises how good he is himself at times. Sometimes he’ll put the handbrake on a little bit and he won’t attack as much as I’d like. He has been excellent and responded really well, that’s all you can ask someone to do. He has been really aggressive in games, on the front foot defensively and in attack. When he is like that there are not many better wing-backs in the division.

“But I also have to give great credit to Danny. Because he has shown he can play equally as well and he is a young player.

“With competition for places you can sometimes get that balance a little too far, so players are in and out of the side and don’t quite know where they are – that’s not a good thing. But if you get the balance right players have to perform to stay in the team and you get a real nice bit of edge about performances.

“I’m pleased with Mahlon but equally he has to keep performing. If he drops his levels then Danny is waiting in the wings. He’ll certainly get his opportunity anyway.”