Joe Edwards explains decision to start Aidomo Emakhu in QPR victory and reveals reason for Allan Campbell’s absence from matchday squad

Joe Edwards handed Aidomo Emakhu just his fourth start for Millwall in the Boxing Day win against QPR to help add some attacking spark to his forward line.

It was only the second start the 20-year-old Irish winger has made since Edwards took over as Millwall head coach in November, and he impressed to help his side to victory against their London rivals and end a seven game winless run.

Emakhu was one of the more prominent threats in the final third in a game of little quality before being substituted in the 83rd minute, and Edwards was pleased with what he saw.

 “He did very well today,” said Edwards. “He’s a young player. I’ve said in recent weeks about Aidomo and Romain [Esse], when you’re a team that’s been where we’ve been that is desperate for points and on a difficult run, you have to choose wisely and carefully when you drop the young boys in.

“I’d seen bits in games lately where we’ve been lacking that spark and that pace at the top end of the pitch.

“I’ve seen bits of Aidomo in training and he played in an U21 game 10 days ago and scored a hat-trick.

“I wanted to give him an opportunity and he absolutely took it today. He was a real threat.”

Allan Campbell was not named in the Millwall squad against QPR having also missed out in the previous game at Stoke.

Edwards revealed that the on-loan Luton midfielder’s absence is not due to an injury.

“I’ve got one injured player in the squad which is Casper [De Norre],” he said.

“It’s unusual in a busy period like this to have more players that can fit in the [matchday] squad. I’ve had to make selection decisions and Allan’s been the unfortunate one.

“He’s a great pro and trains well every day. It’s just for the teams that I’ve been picking and the options I have on the bench to change what is going on, it’s the decision I’ve made for these two games.”