Millwall boss has striker decision to make – but admits it isn’t all under their control in January transfer window

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Gary Rowett has described the January transfer window as “absolutely crucial” for Millwall – with a decision looming on loan striker Kenneth Zohore.

The Danish striker looked like the missing attacking link for the Lions when he netted in the 2-0 victory at Preston on October 28. But he has missed the last 11 Championship matches with a calf injury sustained at Deepdale.

Zohore only signed a deal to stay in SE16 until January 16.

Millwall manager Rowett is hoping that the 26-year-old could play some part in their festive fixtures.

The Lions halted a 10-game winless spell on Tuesday as goals by Tom Bradshaw and Mason Bennett saw off Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

“January is going to be an absolutely crucial window for us,” said Rowett. “If we get January right I’m confident the momentum will shift back with us.

“In Ken’s case there are two things. The first is whether West Brom would be keen on bringing him back or him staying here. He is their player and they’ll dictate to a certain degree what happens in the middle of January.

“If he was fit and performing as well as he did at Preston then I don’t think there would even need to be a conversation for us. But it is more a case of that we need players who are fit and can effect games.

“We had hoped he would be back this week but I think it’s going to be more likely next week. He’s just a little bit behind the progress where our medical team thought he would be at.

“With this type of injury you get a timespan of say eight to 10 weeks but that doesn’t mean in eight weeks he will be fine. It depends on how quickly he heals.

“It also depends on any complications. Ken is a big guy and so it’s not like someone else trying to overcome the injury. There is a lot more weight, power, size and muscle going through his calves.

“It’s disappointing because we saw what he can do in games. To have him unavailable for so long has had a huge impact on us trying to improve as a team.”

Millwall are at home to Nottingham Forest tomorrow. The visitors can call upon former Lions strikers Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor.

“Any side that has the likes of [Anthony] Knockaert, [Joe] Lolley, Taylor and Grabban then it means of course that they can turn a game on its head,” said Rowett.

“But our focus is always the same – it’s on us and what we need to do.

“If we perform like we did on Tuesday evening then we give ourselves a chance of being competitive.

“We’ve been unlucky in a few games on our run but nevertheless for everyone there was a sense of relief.”