Millwall have held talks with Scott Malone – but wing-back’s impressive goal return likely to lure in other clubs

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall have held contract talks with Scott Malone – but manager Gary Rowett admits the wing-back’s goalscoring form is likely to attract other suitors.

The on-loan Derby County man, who turns 30 later this month, produced a superb 20-yard strike to help sink Preston North End at The Den on Tuesday night.

Malone has five goals this season – two behind top-scorer Jed Wallace – and a succession of standout performances have been timed perfectly with his Pride Park contract up this summer.

“The ideal time for talks is not usually after he’s spanked one in the top corner,” joked Rowett.

“Scott will walk in the office with a huge wheelbarrow and say: ‘What a goal that was’.

“We’ll sit down when we think it is right. We’ve certainly had some discussions with Scott and his agent.

“But I’ve said it before with the likes of Scottie and Woodsy [Ryan Woods] – our job is to get them back playing to their best level.

“If we can do that, when they have played at a higher level, then undoubtedly they are going to attract other teams. There might be some who can pay them a lot more money than we can.

“Hopefully we can keep someone like Scott for longer. His goals against Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday and the one the other day are incredible bits of finishing. He has five goals from wing-back. Ultimately that is going to get attention, you can’t avoid that.

“If he is performing well then he deserves something good to happen at the end of the season.

“All we can do is sit down and try to keep him, within the realms of what we can do.”
Malone signed up for a second spell with the Lions in late August. He has made 32 appearances.

“Scottie goes box to box all game,” said Rowett. “His stats – for a player touching 30 – are incredible.

“When you look at the physical metrics for most games it is him and Jed who are basically the top two.”

Tom Bradshaw (tendonitis) is a doubt for tomorrow’s home game against Blackburn.

Mason Bennett, who headed the winner in midweek, came off in the 89th minute with a tight achilles.

Midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld (hamstring) is not expected to be available. The Dutchman has missed the last six matches since coming off against Sheffield Wednesday.

“Until the fluid goes he can’t really kick on,” said Rowett. “It has been a slow and frustrating situation for him, and for us.”