Millwall new boy set to get chance to prove his quality in pre-season after switch from AFC Wimbledon
Millwall new boy Tyler Burey is set to get a chance to show what he can do in the club’s pre-season friendly programme.
The Lions get their matches underway at Concord Rangers on Saturday with Lions chief Neil Harris expected to field a different side in each half.
Winger Burey, 18, signed for Millwall on Friday. The two clubs agreed compensation after the teenager rejected fresh terms with the Dons and was out of contract at the end of last month.
Harris said: “I’m really pleased to get Tyler. It was quite a bizarre one as he played first-team at Wimbledon at 17.
“He has got the attributes to give him a real opportunity to be a top player. We didn’t imagine he’d be available for one minute but got a phone call in the summer that he could be available.
“It was either agree a fee with Wimbledon or go to tribunal. I’d seen him play and all our recruitment department had seen him in various games. It was a no-brainer for us – a 17-year-old who has played in the first team.
“The thought process for us is that he comes in now and we can have a look for a period of time. He comes into our U23s but trains with the first team as well.
“If the opportunity arises over pre-season, I’m sure it will at some stage, to show us his potential then that will be great.
“We want to help him develop. It is about his development pathway to the first team – whether that includes U23s or a loan period.
“We’ll be patient and just see how it all unfolds.
“He has got a lot of pace and directness – he is very good one-v-one and has got some end product. We’ll work on his game in the final third, crossing and finishing, and hopefully we’ll see him play in the first team in a Millwall shirt.”
Burey made his league debut against Charlton at the start of this year and showed no nerves.
Shane Ferguson will report back from his summer break on Saturday. The winger has been handed a later return date after being in international action for Northern Ireland.
Goalkeeper Frank Fielding, signed on a free last week after leaving Bristol City, should make his debut.
“All the senior players will play 45 minutes,” said Harris. “Due to the size of the squad where we are still recruiting and Shane has been away means there will be an opportunity for some young lads to shine.”
PICTURE BY PAUL EDWARDS