Millwall boss Gary Rowett has praise for “immense” Jake Cooper

Gary Rowett has labelled centre-back Jake Cooper’s displays as “immense” in helping Millwall muscle even more firmly into Championship play-off contention.

The Lions are fifth in the table and head to Luton Town, who are a place below them, tomorrow night.

Cooper, 28, has played 287 matches for Millwall.

And Rowett has appreciated the former Reading defender’s contribution as Millwall try and hunt down a top-six finish.

Cooper and his team-mates dug in to secure a 1-0 win at Stoke City at the weekend.

“Coops has been immense for us,” Rowett told the South London Press. “With Hutchy being out, and taking the captain’s armband, it shows leadership within the group.

“He’s a player that you undervalue some of those clearances, blocks and the way he heads it out of the box. He is so dominant in those situations that you sometimes take it for granted, because he has done it for so long.

“In the last period of games he has been absolutely outstanding.

“He’s been a big factor behind our defensive solidity along with Longy and the other defenders. He has been so consistent.

“It’s only sometimes when you reflect on a period that you realise how important and consistent he has been.

“He’s been brilliant so far and he’s going to be really important if we want to stay in and around where we are.”