Millwall manager explains why outgoing deadline deals failed to happen

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has confirmed there was deadline day interest in some of his squad.

Huddersfield Town were linked with a move for Matt Smith, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

The big striker, 31, has struggled to hold down a starting spot this season and played just 33 minutes of Championship football since the start of January.

There were League One approaches for Shane Ferguson, who also sees his Den terms expire at the start of July.

Rowett said: “We had enquiries for one or two of our players.

“But firstly the enquiries weren’t really early enough or strong enough and, secondly, they were not players we were really prepared to let go unless we were able to strengthen the team in a different way. With two or three hours to go that is always very difficult.

“Financially if a club comes in with a percentage of a player’s wages it is very, very difficult to see it as brilliant for us.

“We weren’t keen to let anyone go out unless we felt there was a chance to strengthen because some of it was late or a little half-hearted. They weren’t things really worth thinking about.”

PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD