Millwall manager Rowett: We will only make use of youth when they’ve proved they can have impact on games

Millwall manager Gary Rowett is still ruminating on what will be best for his club’s up-and-coming players in the coming weeks.

Millwall have built a reputation blooding youngsters – but the Lions boss says he will only use them if they’re ready.

Midfielder Billy Mitchell and right-back Danny McNamara are the current cream of the Lions’ academy graduates but others are coming into the reckoning. Isaac Olaofe had loan inquiries from League One clubs during the summer, Rowett has revealed.

Asked about out Alex Mitchell and Olaofe at Tuesday’s fans forum Rowett said: “Alex Mitchell went to Bromley last season and has been excellent. We’ve got a debate. Do we let him go out out on loan again or do I keep him within the group? We’ve had a lot of meetings about it. The others are not ready in my opinion.

“With Isaac we wanted to see the impact of another loan but unfortunately he got an injury in pre-season. We will give him two weeks to see how he recovers. But do we keep the momentum going – for example with a league loan this time? And then if he does well he’d be a strong contender to come back.

“Danny McNamara’s loan [to St Johnstone] was about the quickest way to get him back in the first team. Even if we cannot do that, a loan can create a bit of value.

“We see the young players week in and week out in the under 23s and training with the first team. We see how they cope with that. The ones that have had a chance in games have been good enough to have an impact.

“Some clubs will throw four or more in just to appease fans. We have had Danny McNamara, Billy Mitchell, Hayden Muller and Tyler Burey and that is a really good start. They have been good in training and the under-23s. I would not just give a shirt to someone because they are at Millwall. There’s an opportunity for them to show in training that they can take their chance.”

Chief executive Steve Kavanagh added on another teenage talent, Abdul Abdulmalik: “We have offered him a contract and retain our compensation rights until he’s 24. Kids can choose to look at their options. He has chosen to take the route of trials at Southampton, Watford and Portsmouth. Now we don’t have to honour the contract we offered.”

Rowett said: “We think he would be better off with us as has happened with Danny McNamara, Billy Mitchell and Tyler Burey. Sometimes players don’t always get advised in the right way. Some agents say the grass is greener without realising clubs are doing their best for the player.”