Millwall boss expects loan exit for forward in the January window

Gary Rowett expects Isaac Olaofe to leave Millwall on loan in the January transfer window.

The forward has been absent from the Lions squad since the 3-2 win at Coventry City on August 13.

Olaofe had heavy interest from clubs below the Championship, with options to leave on loan and permanently presented during the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old, who signed a new contract extension with the Lions once the window closed and failed to seal a move away from The Den, has only played 95 minutes of football this season. 

The majority of his game time came during the 85 minutes he played in Millwall’s 1-0 EFL Cup first-round loss to Cambridge United. 

He scored 24 goals in 76 appearances during his two loan spells at Sutton United.

“It’s been a difficult one,” explained Rowett to the South London Press of Olaofe’s current situation.

“We had a deal for him to go to a League One club fall through at the last minute, so that was always the plan for him. He came back into the group but has been in and out of the squad again. 

“I had a good chat with Tanto and let him know where he is. He’s another one who has to get his head down and see if there is an opportunity for him.

“He’s worked hard and played well in the U23 games. The likelihood is that he will get the opportunity to go back out on loan in January but if we get two or three injuries, then he might well be playing in the team.

“He has got to be ready. If we get through to January and the situation hasn’t changed, we will look to get him out on loan again.

“We had a lot of interest in him in the last window, so I don’t anticipate that getting him a really good loan would be a problem.”