Millwall boss on selecting starting line-up for Boro and potential debuts for new signings

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has talked about factoring Middlesbrough’s tactics into his team selection for Saturday’s Championship opener.

The Teessiders lost 1-0 over two legs to Coventry City in their play-off semi-final last season.

Millwall looked set to join Boro in the end-of-season knockouts only for a 4-3 defeat to Blackburn on the final day ensuring they missed out.

Asked if he had his starting 11 already in mind for this weekend, Rowett told the South London Press: “You have it in your head but you also look at the opposition and think ‘do we need something slightly different?’ I don’t think you can just go out and pick your best team in your best formation and ignore what the opposition do – particularly away from home.

“We’ve had a lot of success over the years in just adjusting slightly, depending on the opposition – coming up with a tactical plan to try and make sure we stop them playing and give ourselves the best possible chance.

“We’ll try and find the right balance and see what that looks like.”

Millwall could hand debuts to striker Kevin Nisbet, Joe Bryan, Casper de Norre and Wes Harding.

“They will be ready to go straight away,” said Rowett. “The likes of Nizzy, Joe Bryan, Wes and Casper are all raring to go – with different degrees of understanding of the league.

“I expect them to adapt quite quickly. They will be very good options for the first game, should we use them.”

Middlesbrough have spent around £2million on QPR keeper Seny Dieng. Last season’s top-scorer Chuba Akpom has not featured in pre-season with manager Michael Carrick claiming the striker, in the final year of his contract, has an injury.

“They are a good side,” said Rowett. “We saw last season they move the ball really well and give you some different type of problems with their build-up play. They make it quite difficult to press them easily because they have a lot of different movements.

“It’s a tough game, it would be at any stage of the season, and whoever is managing them. Michael has done a good job which makes it even more of a challenge. It’s our first game, our first away game, so we’re keen to see how our team looks and how we fare in a tough away game – I’m sure the atmosphere will be fantastic.

“It will be great to be back with a full house in the Championship, I think we’re all excited about that.”