Gary Rowett: Leeds loanee will have benefited from his spell out of the Millwall squad

Gary Rowett believes that Charlie Cresswell will have benefited in the long-term from his spell out of the Millwall side.

The Lions boss also added that Cresswell’s parent club Leeds United will be pleased that the loan has had different sides to it.

The 20-year-old joined on a season-long loan over the summer from Elland Road and scored two goals on his debut to help the South Londoners record an opening day 2-0 win over Stoke City.

Cresswell, who featured five times in the Premier League for Leeds last season, was left out of the Millwall squad for the previous four games before last weekend’s 2-1 win against West Brom.

The young defender replaced Shaun Hutchinson at half time against the Baggies after the Lions skipper was forced off with a hamstring injury.

Hutchinson is expected to be out until after the World Cup break, but Murray Wallace is expected to return soon from a groin injury.

“It will give certainly give a chance to one of the defenders,” Rowett told the South London Press when asked whether Hutchinson’s injury presented a chance for Cresswell to stamp his authority on the side.

“Cressy would have 100 per cent been frustrated being left out of the squad. But, as a manager, you have to make unpopular decisions at times.

“He has trained and acquitted himself really well when he has been out of the team – he hasn’t let that frustration get to his training levels.

“That showed when he came back in at half time last Saturday against West Brom. He was up to speed straight away, and he looked more and more confident as the game went on.

“I’m sure he will get another opportunity. I have been really pleased with how Cressy has dealt with it as a young player.

“It’s hard not to show your emotions when you want to play every game but it’s Championship football – you have to roll with the punches at times and be ready for when you get that opportunity.

“He would have learnt about himself – how to cope with situations and a little bit about Championship football. He’ll come back in and bounce back.

“He has shown character and resilience, and he will benefit from it in the long term.

“No career of a young player is just a straight line right to the top. There are lots of loanees in our division who expect to come in and absolutely smash the Championship, but it doesn’t work like that – it’s a brutal league.

“Leeds will be pleased with the fact that the loan has had different facets to it. At some point, he will go back to Leeds a much more well-rounded player. But he wants to get back in our team and he wants to play every week. He will have an opportunity to do that.”

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