Millwall head coach Neil Harris responds to transfer link to West Brom midfielder Molumby

Millwall head coach Neil Harris has played a straight bat to talk of a Den return for Jayson Molumby.

The West Brom midfielder is in the final year of his contract at The Hawthorns.

Molumby, 24, was signed on loan by Harris in the 2019-20 season from Brighton.

Millwall were keen that following summer on acquiring him permanently but a deal could not be worked out.

Molumby then went on loan to Preston and West Brom in the next two campaigns before signing for the Baggies in May 2022.

He is facing a ban after being charged with violent conduct after punching an opposing player in a pre-season friendly against Real Mallorca.

Molumby made 40 appearances for the Lions and has 170 senior appearances in total as well as being a Republic of Ireland international.

“We’ve been linked with a lot of players in the last 10-14 days and rightly so because we’re looking to add to the group,” Harris told the South London Press. “Hopefully before Saturday but certainly in the next three weeks.

“Jayson is obviously a player I know well because I signed him originally from Brighton and I’ve really enjoyed staying in contact with him and watching him mature.”

Harris has already spoken regularly about the need to add to the frontline options in his squad – with striker and winger additions both sought.

Millwall start their Championship season at home to Watford on Saturday but will be missing Zian Flemming (calf).

“In an ideal world we’d have added two players at the top end of the pitch by Saturday,” said Harris. “Not just to support the starting 11 but to support options coming off the bench.

“Missing players at the moment just highlights the fact we know we need to recruit for the group. But if it is not going to be for Saturday then as head coach I have to be patient and accept that we are going to get business done before August 31 when the deadline comes.

“In the meantime, I really enjoy working with the group of players that I’ve got, I really enjoy working with them at the end of last season – we performed admirably to get the points that we needed to achieve the goal of staying in the division.

“But, as always, if you want to improve and take steps forward, as we do as a football club, then we need to keep evolving and keep moving forward.

“I’m sure we’ll do that in the coming weeks.”

PICTURE: PA