Harris: We need competition all over the field

NEIL Harris returned to work from his summer break yesterday as Millwall prepare for the re-opening of the transfer window next week.

Friday June 14 is when Football League clubs can officially start recruiting new faces and the Lions will be keen to do some early business after releasing defender Shaun Hutchinson and goalkeeper Bart Bialkowski.

All of last season’s loanees have also returned to their clubs, meaning there are quite a few positions to be filled before the Championship campaign kicks off on August 10.

Boss Den said: “At the moment you naturally look at the players who are likely to leave this window in Bart and Shaun.

“We need to fill those positions, especially since Japhet Tanganga has returned to his parent club, which means that centre-half is an area we need to strengthen.

“We need competition all over the pitch but at the top end of the pitch we might have been a bit shy in terms of creativity and goals last year.

“Keeping key players fit is always important during the season.

“We have to make sure we have enough options because the Championship is a crazy league with a lot of international breaks, which means a lot of games to fill in around them.

“Making sure there’s competition at the top end of the pitch is going to be really vital for us as well.”

Tanganga remains a key target, although Harris admits the Lions will face competition to secure his services permanently from Tottenham.

He explained: “Discussions are taking place and I’ve been very honest since I joined the club that I’m a big fan of Japhet. He knows it, everybody knows it because I’ve been very public about it.

“I would love to work with Japhet before, but there are a lot of aspects.

“I contacted Tottenham and spoke to Japhet’s representatives.

“I have already spoken to Japhet a few times over the summer and we will stay in close contact.”

Harris added: “There’s a lot to consider for Japhet in this window and that’s not just in England.

“He is a very good player who will have options all over Europe.

“We will see how the discussions continue and obviously we hope for a positive conclusion and an opportunity to work with him again in the future.”