Millwall boss gives verdict on why it is time for Shane Ferguson to leave

Gary Rowett has given a glowing character reference to Shane Ferguson, with the Millwall winger looking for a new club this summer.

The 29-year-old will be a free agent at the start of July.

Ferguson’s last competitive outing was for Northern Ireland in a 2-1 friendly defeat to the USA in March.

Lions manager Rowett said: “Fergie is a great lad. He comes in every day and he trains well. He never gives you an ounce of a problem off the pitch and comes battering your down down.

“I know he wants to play more, he desperately wants to play more. Sometimes you get to the point with a player when they are a full international that you can’t keep them from playing and starting games for a further season.

“I think it is one of those natural ones where Fegie recognises he needs to go and play more regularly and we have to create some space in the squad financially and numbers wise to go and do something different.

“But as a player he has been excellent for me and brilliant around the group.”