Millwall chief makes it clear that Portsmouth loanee’s future remains at The Den

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Neil Harris has spelled out again that Ben Thompson’s long-term future lies at Millwall after the academy product joined Portsmouth on loan.

The young midfielder will spend the campaign with the League One club, who are managed by former Lions boss Kenny Jackett.

Millwall manager Harris told the South London Press: “Ben is a real tough one because he is so close to our first team and we saw a very assured and quality performance on Tuesday. But he couldn’t quite break in last season and hasn’t broken in at the start of this one.

“His long-term future is at our football club. He is going to be a wonderful player for us in years to come, as he has been in the last three years.

“We need to make sure he continues to develop as a footballer and gets the minutes needed, because young players who don’t get that don’t progress.

“I rate him very highly as a player.

“This is a chance for him to continue his development with Kenny at Portsmouth – a big club with big crowds. They have a lot of traits to their play that we have here. It is a really good opportunity for him.”

IMAGE BY KEITH GILLARD