Millwall midfielder expecting tougher Championship – and picks out fixture he is most looking forward to

Ryan Leonard is expecting the Championship to be even tougher next season – citing the quality of the clubs coming up from League One as a major factor in that claim.

The Millwall midfielder will face his former club Plymouth Argyle after they won the title in England’s third tier.

Ipswich Town, who finished runners-up, are expected to be well bankrolled with Sheffield Wednesday – boasting a big fanbase – winning promotion via the play-offs.

Leicester City, Southampton and Leeds United have dropped down from the Premier League – the former two after a lengthy run in the top flight.

The 2023-24 Championship fixtures come out tomorrow morning.

Asked if he was looking forward to one game more than any other, Leonard told the South London Press: “Yeah, Plymouth is my one. I’ve not had many chances to go back down there and all my family live about five minutes from the stadium – so to go back down there and play would be a nice one for me.

“It is a brilliant club and I grew up playing for the football club, I was there for 10 years. I’m excited to go back. It is a club that is really well-run – they did an incredible job, winning League One. It’s going to be interesting to see how they get on in the Championship.

“It’s going to be a really tough league, I know we seem to say that every year. The clubs that have come up from League One and come down from the Premier League are all stable, big clubs – it’s going to be a big season for everyone again.

“It’s always enjoyable to see the former Premier League boys come down to The Den.”

See Friday’s South London Press for an interview with Leonard.