Millwall boss will have “absolutely no qualms” about starting Bialkowski against Leeds if Sarkic misses out
Millwall manager Gary Rowett has said he will have “absolutely no qualms” about putting Bart Bialkowski back in goal if first choice Matija Sarkic misses out on facing Leeds United this weekend.
Montenegro international Sarkic sat out his country’s Euro 2024 qualifier last Thursday due to a quad problem.
The Lions host Leeds on Sunday in a Sky Sports televised lunchtime clash. Bialkowski and Connal Trueman are the two senior stoppers definitely available for selection.
“Matty picked up a quad injury in the week leading up to the Birmingham game,” Rowett told the South London Press. “He got through the game fine but felt sore off the back of it.
“We’re assessing that and trying to work out if it is a short-term injury or something a little bit more sinister. Hopefully it is not too serious. It’s disappointing he’s felt it because his form has been excellent – saving the penalty against Birmingham was an additional moment where you can see the quality he has.”
Bialkowski started for Millwall in their EFL Cup defeat to Reading in August.
“I have two very good goalkeepers at very different stages of their careers,” said Rowett. “Young Connal is a really good keeper who I think will get better and better. He will really start to keep the other keepers at the club on their toes, because he is hungry to first be a number two and then a number one in his own right.
“Bart has been a safe pair of hands for this football club for a long time. Towards the end of last season I had a really difficult debate on which goalkeeper to pick. Did I go for the experience of Bart? That was always in my mind.
“If Bart plays then I’d have absolutely no qualms whatsoever about putting him back in as number one. I think he’s step up. He’s the type of player who would be desperate to show what he is all about once more, like he has done so many times in a Millwall shirt. I’d be really confident with Bart’s ability and Bart’s character – he’s a great guy.”
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