GARY Rowett will check on the progress made by defender Alex Mitchell this summer with a view to judging whether the defender merits a place in the Millwall squad next season.
Mitchell, 21, spent last season on loan at Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone where he played 29 times, scoring once.
Mitchell has also had loan spells at Bromley and Leyton Orient and the hope is he can progress in a similar manner to Danny McNamara. Former Ireland under-21 international McNamara was also sent to the National League among other moves, and to St Johnstone from where he was recalled and went straight into the Lions first team.
Mitchell will be aiming for the same success.
“He took a good step out on loan at St Johnstone. He wants to come and play in our first team, which is always a difficult challenge,” Rowett told NewsAtDen. “Because the Championship is a tough old league and we’re trying to get into the Premier League.
“I think for Alex it’s about coming back pre-season and let’s see how he’s developed, let’s see how he has improved.
“The challenge for him will be to try to step up to push his way into the squad and into the first team for next season.
“Like any of the young players, like any player that comes back. Anyone coming back has to perform to try to improve us and that’s the challenge for all of those players.”
Mitchell knows what could be at stake this summer, as he explained to NewsAtDen towards the end of last season.
“I’ve only got one more year on my contract, so this is the make-or-break year for me now,” Mitchell said. “I’ve done all the things that the gaffer has wanted me to and I’ve done it well. I want to crack the first team and play in the first team. I’ve seen how Danny and Billy [Mitchell] have done it, even Romain [Esse]. They got in the team and managed to stay there.
“I’m aware that, if I don’t have a good pre-season and don’t match the standards, then I’m out. I’m aware of that because it’s a ruthless environment, football, and clubs can just bring in someone better.
“I’ve got to be on my A-game in pre-season, but I know that. The last two or three seasons have all built up to this pre-season, so hopefully I can show what I’ve done.
“That’s football, it’s a performance-driven business. I’m completely aware of the situation and I think it’s quite an obvious one, to be fair.”
Image: Millwall FC
