Millwall boss on if he will delve into transfer market to replace McCarthy, update on injured duo and Tottenham loanee Troy Parrott’s first goal

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall manager Gary Rowett is not set to replace Jason McCarthy as he believes there are already players in his squad who can play at right wing-back.

The 24-year-old defender completed a permanent return to Wycombe Wanderers this week.

McCarthy joined the Lions last summer but made just five appearances – three of those in the cup competitions where fringe players got an opportunity.

He rejoined the Chairboys in January but was unable to play a part in their League One play-off success as he was not eligible to feature once the campaign restarted following the Covid-19 pandemic.

McCarthy has signed up for a fourth spell at Wycombe, who paid an undisclosed fee for the former Southampton youngster.

“He made it clear he wanted to play and I understand that,” said Rowett. “What a manager wants to hear is that people are going to force their way into the team, rather than that.

“But he has played a lot of football and in some ways I respect the fact he doesn’t just want to sit on the bench.

“The best thing was for him to move on and make other additions to the squad, rather than players who saw their future elsewhere.

“I wish him well. I’m sure he’ll do well at Wycombe.”

Millwall have James Brown as cover for Mahlon Romeo, who did not play every fixture in the run-in to last season as he managed a groin issue.

But Rowett opted to play Billy Mitchell at right wing-back when Romeo did sit out some games.

And he doesn’t envisage bringing in a replacement for McCarthy in that position.

“No, I don’t think so,” said the Lions chief. “We have got one or two players who have shown they can play in that area.

“We’ve certainly got others who can play the right wing-back position. It doesn’t have to be a specialist position.

“Billy [Mitchell] played there last season and Jiri has played there in pre-season and looked really good. Ryan Leonard has played out there several times before.

“We’ve got other players who can play that position and that’s the way we’ll go, certainly for now.”

Millwall beat Bromley 5-1 in a friendly at their Calmont Road training ground on Tuesday.

New loan signing Troy Parrott got his first goal since arriving on loan from Tottenham.

Jed Wallace, Connor Mahoney, Matt Smith and Leonard were also on target.

There are high hopes for Parrott, 18, on his first senior loan. And Rowett reckons that even a goal in such low-key settings will have been good for the Republic of Ireland international’s confidence.

“Troy had one chance and scored – that’s what he has done all season in training,” said Rowett. “It was typical of what we’ve seen so far.

“You can train as much as you want but it is about playing in games where players learn how we want to play and get the most out of it.

“Whilst we weren’t great in the first half, Jed and Troy looked really lively and there was some great interplay. You can see how those two will link up.”

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Ryan Woods both missed the fixture against the Ravens due to back injuries. Rowett said: “We don’t think either is too serious.”

PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS