GARY ROWETT has said George Long is exploring other options as he explained why the goalkeeper was absent from Saturday’s win at Middlesbrough.
The 29-year-old had been Millwall’s first-choice keeper for most of last season but was noticeably absent for the opening day trip to the Riverside.
New signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers Matija Sarkic started in goal while Bartosz Bialkowski was on the bench.
Lions boss Rowett admitted Long is now considering how best to get first team football but insisted he has remained “incredibly professional.”
He told NewsAtDen: “It’s really, really simple. I spoke to George and he’s very keen to be a number one somewhere if that opportunity arises. And I feel that’s fair for him. He’s worked very hard to be in the number one position and by bringing Matija in it obviously pushes him down that order through no fault of his own.
“I had a conversation with him and just said until the window shuts we’ll just make sure we’re all clear on what the opportunity may look like if George doesn’t get that chance. I think we’ll sit down and re-assess that.
“He’s been incredibly professional, he’s conducted himself fantastically well and like I said it’s a difficult situation as it’s not his fault. He hasn’t done anything wrong. We just had to make a decision and it’s literally nothing more than that.
“I know people like to speculate but he’s been brilliant around the place, he’s a really popular player and, like I said, if the window shuts tomorrow and George hasn’t had the opportunity to play first-team football somewhere, then we’ll reassess what that order looks like.”
