Millwall manager Rowett thrilled to have folk hero Thompson back in squad training

Millwall manager Gary Rowett is thrilled to have midfielder Ben Thompson back in training as his squad returned to preparations for the restart of the season after lockdown.

The 24-year-old academy graduate from a Lions family had ankle surgery in December after
being a mainstay of the Den side – and was one of the first back to the club’s Bromley training
ground this week.
Rowett said: “Tommo was an integral part of the first nine games after we arrived at the club. He is a very enthusiastic player. He loves training and working for this club. It has been incredibly encouraging to have him back.
“It is nice to see him back. And I feel there is still a lot of room for improvement in him.
“He could score more goals and set up more, too – it is just a matter of getting that confidence in
him to do it.”
Another returning player is keeper Frank Fielding (arm) – who had to go off after 43 minutes of the first game of the season, the 1-0 home win over Preston.
“The delay will work in one or two players’ favour,” said Rowett.
The boss’s only current injury question mark is inspirational wide man Jed Wallace (knee).
“He has not trained quite as much as the others because of
the niggle,” said Rowett. “He is a bit behind them but we are trying to nurse him through.
“Some of the players were not near parks and had to do training runs on concrete in lockdown, and that
has put them behind.”

Pictured: Ben Thompson in training last August