“A lot to consider” – Millwall boss comments on defender’s contract situation and game time

Millwall head coach Neil Harris says there is “a lot to consider” when weighing up the future of club captain Shaun Hutchinson.

The former Fulham centre-back, 33, is out of contract at the end of June.

Geordie Hutchinson has made 256 appearances for the Lions since signing following his release by the Whites in the summer of 2016. He has featured in 13 Championship matches in the current campaign and has come on for the final minutes of the last two matches – with the 1-0 win over Plymouth potentially a Den farewell.

Harris told the South London Press: “Hutch is club captain and an integral part of our recognised success over the last eight weeks. Hutch hasn’t played as much as he would have hoped under me, and maybe surprised all of us that he hasn’t played more. But that’s testament to the performances of the backline – and Japhet (Tanganga) and Coops (Jake Cooper) in particular.

“Hutch is always in the thought process. Since coming back from injury, in my first couple of weeks, he has trained every day and trained really well. He has led the changing room brilliantly.

“We have got a fantastic working relationship – from the moment I signed him in 2016.

“The door is definitely open for Hutch over the coming weeks. I’ve had some really positive conversations with him.

“That’s all I need to say now because there is lots to consider when players are out of contract, from a club perspective but also from a player and personal perspective.

“I’m very fond of Hutch and working with him. So let’s see what happens over the coming weeks.”