Millwall boss Gary Rowett: Benik Afobe has a point to prove in Championship

Gary Rowett says it is down to Millwall to get the best out of Benik Afobe after the striker wrapped up his move back to SE16 this morning.

The Stoke City striker passed a medical yesterday and will spend the season on loan at the Lions.

Rowett was Stoke boss when Afobe was signed and feels the 28-year-old – whose combined transfer fees exceed £30million – can make a huge impact.

The Millwall chief told the South London Press: “We’re in a position where we needed someone who has the pedigree as a top striker in the Championship, There are very few players out there that fit that mould for us.

“Benik was always one I felt that, for him and for us, it was a really good fit.

“He’s got a little bit of something to prove. He’s hungry to score goals again. He’s had a loan in which he scored five in 10 starts, a change of manager in Turkey didn’t help that – but he looked really sharp. He seemed to really have the bit between his teeth.

“When I signed him at Stoke I felt he was the ideal player to lead the line in a promotion challenge. I don’t see that any differently, even with two or three years passing. He has got the qualities.

“It’s a classic signing that I like to make, where a player is hungry and has something to prove – and has the ability to do it.

“It’s up to us to give Benik the right stability and support to go and show what he can do. But you’re talking about a player who has scored goals in this division and been one of the best strikers.”

Afobe had five matches on loan with Millwall in 2013 while a youngster at Arsenal. A major knee injury ended his stay.

“When someone has been at the club they know what it is all about,” said Rowett. “Benik knows the club and I’ve worked with him before and got a lot of belief in him as a person and as a player.

“It’s like Scottie Malone last season, it’s up to us to find the right fit and right player so that all the pieces comes together. You saw last season how excellent Scottie was last season and how much he enjoyed his football. The challenge is to get someone like Benik in the same mould and mindset.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Benik.”

Afobe’s career has been disrupted by injuries.

“He’s come back and played after those injuries and been available for a good period of time and when I saw him last season he looked in good condition,” said Rowett. “He has worked hard over the summer.

“It’s like any player, we can’t sign a top, top striker if they are in form and at their absolute peak. What we’ve got to do is try and take them at a point when they are not at their highest point and get them back to that sort of level.

“You saw some of our most robust players get injured last season, you can’t take that risk away. I’ve got a lot of belief in Benik and I believe he can really, really help us out on the pitch as well.”