Millwall boss reacts to loan exit media reports surrounding Irish attacker Aidomo Emakhu

Neil Harris has responded to reports in the Irish national media regarding a loan exit for Aidomo Emakhu.

The 20-year-old Millwall winger started in tonight’s 1-0 EFL Cup loss to Leyton Orient.

Emakhu has scored one goal in 27 senior outings for the Lions and was replaced in the 64th minute in midweek at The Den.

Asked about his future, Harris said: “A lot of fans wanted to see him in the team.

“I gave him an opportunity tonight to play. He is a work in progress. He is a very young man. He has come from the League of Ireland not long ago and broke into the Championship last year. He hasn’t come through the ranks of League Two and League One.

“As always with young players it is what is best? Is it best to learn and develop on our terms, or do you loan players out to get minutes and learn on other people’s time? They are the tough decisions the football club has to make at times.

“We will make the best decision for Aidomo before Friday’s deadline – what that is. I’ve really enjoyed working with him pre-season and there is a lot of work goes on behind the scenes with our young players, a lot of work. That is not just on the training pitch but in the classroom with video presentations and opportunities for minutes, when they arise.

“Aidomo has been outstanding in pre-season when he’s come off the bench – not as effective from the start. That is where we need to get him to – so that he is effective from the first minute rather than just the last 30.

“There will be a thought process for Aidomo. There is a lot of noise around Aidomo. He needs to just focus on his football and development here. We’ll make the best decisions for Aidomo.”

Harris made eight changes for the match including a debut for Daniel Kelly, the 18-year-old midfielder signed from Celtic.

There was also a first start for winger Femi Azeez, who arrived from Reading for a fee in the region of £1million last week.

Kelly was replaced by Casper De Norre at the break.

“I wanted to play Dan just to give him a feel for the stadium,” said Harris. “To get him 45 minutes. There were some good parts to his game and some bits that he needs to develop. I remind everyone he is a very, very young man – just turned 18. We have to be really patient with him.

“Femi made his full debut at The Den and he will be better for the experience, for sure. It was a reminder for everybody that we’ve got a lot of work to do but we have been really good in three league games – we’ve only got one point, that’s a fact, but we deserve five or seven.

“Tonight was a different team, a different way of playing and we were poor. I expect us back to the standards we showed in the league.”