Millwall defender Jake Cooper looks to extend astonishing unbroken Championship run against Stoke City

Gary Rowett reckons Jake Cooper can continue his astounding run of consecutive first-team matches for Millwall – despite an even more testing 2020-21 schedule.

The Lions centre-back has played every minute in 122 league matches in a row – chaining together 183 hours of unbroken football.

Cooper will look to add to that on Saturday in the Championship opener against Stoke.

“The way he looks after himself and the way he is such a diligent professional means that he gets his rewards,” said Millwall manager Rowett. “It’s about making sacrifices.

“On the whole I find that players get their rewards if they treat football like a serious, serious profession and do everything they can and show real dedication.

“Coops has got those rewards in terms of his games so far. I don’t think you can ever predict when the run comes to an end. But he does everything he can to get out on the pitch and long may that continue.”