Millwall boss wants more centre-forward combination options for next season

Millwall head coach Neil Harris has talked about the need to have more centre-forward options next season.

The Lions will see Michael Obafemi return to Burnley at the end of the season. The Republic of Ireland international was an unused substitute in today’s 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

Summer signing Kevin Nisbet and Tom Bradshaw, who triggered a contract extension, have both had injury issues this season.

And Millwall are also set to see two other loanees – Arsenal’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Hull’s Ryan Longman – also depart after next weekend’s Championship finale at Swansea City.

Harris has underlined that all of his squad will start with a clean slate at the start of pre-season and will need to impress again if they want to be involved.

“Back in at the end of June and the players are on the start line – they start again,” said Harris.

“They have achieved in 12 games for me. But success, over the course of the season? That will be debatable. It would be subjective to the man sitting in the pub with his pint with his mates, and lady.

“We start off pre-season and we get the balance of the squad right that we recruit to make sure we have got left-footed left-backs in the building and right-footed right-backs in the building. To make sure we have got the balance of midfield players who can play with the ball, can run forward and score goals.

“To make sure we have the right combination of nines at the top end of the pitch. Have we at the moment? No. So that has to be adjusted, for sure.

“We have to make sure we get the right calibre of wide player. The squad was recruited this year to play wing-backs, so I’ve had to muddle through – I mean that with the utmost of respect to the group of players who have done brilliantly, whoever has played wide. That is Dunc, Longy and George – in particular. Romain, in spells, and Brooke, in spells, off the bench. They have done admirably – but we need Millwall wide players.”