In-form striker not coming back to Den this month – and Millwall manager explains why

Isaac Olaofe will spend the rest of the season on loan at Sutton after Millwall let their recall option expire.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Matt Smith both sealed permanent exits from the Lions this week, making free transfer moves to Bolton Wanderers and Salford City.

In-form striker  Tom Bradshaw has been ruled out for around 12 weeks after sustaining knee ligament damage against Forest.

Olaofe, 22, scored twice for Sutton in midweek in their 3-2 home win against Colchester. He has seven in total for the campaign.

“He has done really well but the recall date has passed,” said Millwall boss Gary Rowett. “It’s something we thought about but we don’t think he’s quite ready to come in and impact us just yet.

“He has done really well out on loan and scored goals. He’s very, very comfortable in his surroundings at Sutton, having been there the season before. We’ve had a lot of other interest in him from other clubs, but we’re committed to leaving him where he is to develop.

“This season is a big season for some players and next season is a really big season for the likes of Tyler Burey, Hayden Muller, Isaac and Alex Mitchell. They will be coming back to the club, I know there is a fair way to go, on the back of mixed loans – some really good ones. The challenge is can they push into what we’re doing?

“It is easier to do that off the back of a confident season of 40-odd games than it is after playing 16 or 17 games and then coming back in halfway through. We have to look at the development of that player as much as helping the team out.

“I get it’s all about the first-team but it’s also important those decisions are made for the right reasons and we stick with them, otherwise we don’t get the long-term benefits we’ve seen with the likes of Danny McNamara.”