Millwall defender’s future set to come under the spotlight
Alex Mitchell’s Millwall future is set to be a subject of discussion after his Lincoln City loan ended.
The 22-year-old centre-back made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Imps, whose 2-0 home defeat to Portsmouth on the final day saw them miss out on a play-off place.
Mitchell still has another year on his Millwall contract but told our paper recently it would be “frustrating” to head back to his parent club if there was not game time.
“Alex is slightly different to the younger guys we spoke about,” Lions head coach Neil Harris told the South London Press, during a discussion about loans – including Kamarl Grant at Bromley and Niino Adom-Malaki, who spent the second half of the campaign at Sutton. “Alex’s development is slightly ahead of theirs. Alex has had his loan into the Conference and League Two, now he has been in League One at Lincoln and had a terrific spell – narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
“Alex has played a lot of football out on loan, so we will have to have some discussions with Alex over the summer to what next season looks like.
“Alex is a player I know from being a youngster, when I was at the club originally. He is a player I have tracked at various levels over the past couple of seasons. As always, with all these young players – I mentioned Chin (Okoli), Niino, Alex and Kamarl – we have to look at the football process to help these players develop and can they effect our first team.
“But also what is best for these players as well and what their thoughts are. Do they want to be part of the squad moving forward or on the fringes of the squad, trying to break in with thoughts of loans or do they just want to go out and play football permanently?
“Honest conversations that will take place between myself and the club – and those players over the coming weeks ahead.”
Grant is gearing up for a National League play-off final against Solihull Moors on Sunday.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“Players like Niino and Karmarl – players who are contracted to us but have been out on loan my whole time at the club – I’ve not had the chance to build the relationship,” said Harris.
“Niino has done fantastically well, even in a relegation side at Sutton. The amount of football he has played is hugely important for his development.
“Kamarl, as Chin Okoli did back around Christmas time, has had a really good loan spell at Bromley. If Kamarl has got the chance to start at Wembley or effect the game from the bench, what a great opportunity for him.”
PICTURE: PA
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