Millwall defender looks set to return to starting line-up against Wigan Athletic

Gary Rowett has admitted that Shaun Hutchinson’s return to the starting line-up could be accelerated after Millwall’s 3-0 defeat at Sunderland yesterday.

The Lions club captain was an unused substitute at the Stadium of Light after returning from injury.

Rowett was critical of his side’s defending in the North-East, feeling they made it too easy for the home team as they scored three times after the interval.

Next up for Millwall is a home game against Wigan next weekend.

Asked about not involving Hutchinson, the Millwall boss said: “I just felt as though Cressy and Coops had performed well against Preston. Hutch is our captain but it’s not just a given that a player goes straight back into a team because of that. You have to earn the right to get back in the team. We’ve changed the team a few times when Hutch has picked up another injury to take him out.

“It’s been hard for us to get that continuity with those key players but after a performance like that there’s every chance he might come back into the team at some point soon.

“With Benik out injured at the moment it leaves us one explosive talented player that you can bring off the bench. That makes a big difference in those type of games. I don’t think we’ve got enough attacking depth on the bench [with Afobe out].

“Defensively we have to perform with a lot more solidity than that for a longer period. We did it the first 45, we didn’t do it in the second 45.”

Asked if any other players could be back for Wigan, Rowett replied: “Not sure, but probably it will be very similar. We are facing a team with a new manager and we have done that three or four times already [this season]. It makes preparation a little bit more challenging.

“But it is a home game, so we focus on ourselves. The aim for us, of course, like with any defeat is not to get too bothered by it and make sure we bounce back very quickly.”