Millwall boss on future of winger and why Lions heading into ‘big period’

Tyler Burey looks set to stay with Millwall for the remainder of the season.

The former AFC Wimbledon winger had been impressing on loan at Hartlepool, scoring three goals in nine appearances, before a serious hamstring injury cut disrupted his stay.

The League Two club were keen to keep Burey for the whole season but he headed back to South London at the start of January.

Injuries have seen the 21-year-old included in Gary Rowett’s first-team plans. He came on as a second-half substitute in last weekend’s loss at Blackpool.

Asked about Burey’s short-term future, Rowett said: “I don’t want to ever be definitive on anything because you don’t know what is going to change in the next few days, but he has done really, really well coming on.

“The reality is he’ll be with the first team until the end of the season. We haven’t made that definitive decision yet but pretty much his performances have dictated that. But he still needs game time – it’s that same debate. If he was only getting little bits of time off the bench then does he go, for his development, and get more time? I think he’ll get the opportunity to start games.

“I’ve been really pleased with him.”

Four of Millwall’s next five matches are at The Den – starting with today’s visit of West Bromwich Albion.

“It’s a big period for us because results have not been what we want,” said Rowett. “I don’t think all the performances have been poor. We have played really well in three of those four games – Palace and the first half against Forest. We played well in the first half at Bristol [City]. Blackpool was a disappointment. That’s the one that sticks out because it is the last game and at the end of the run.

“We need to pick up, simple as that. We need to step up our performances and have that little bit of drive and desire. In home games we’ve tended to do that.”

George Saville (neck and back) is once again a doubt for the match. Millwall will also be without Jed Wallace (quad), Sheyi Ojo (ankle), Ryan Leonard (ankle), Tom Bradshaw (knee) and Daniel Ballard (knee).

“It’s another game where we’re probably going to be a little light on bodies, which is not ideal,” said Rowett. “Pearcey [Alex Pearce] will be back, he’s trained. Dan Ballard is making good progress. In a week’s time you’re potentially having Pearce, Ballard, Wallace and Saville training. And maybe strengthening further, if we can. I think we’ll look very different in a week’s time.”