Alex Neil has stated that promising talent Kamarl Grant will not leave Millwall for the first half of the season.
The Lions are looking to improve following their playoff near miss last season, and have got off to an alright start, including a great opening day win over Norwich City away from home. They head to surprise strugglers Sheffield United this weekend, before a midweek EFL Cup fixture against Coventry City.
Grant Going Nowhere
Kamarl Grant has emerged as a new option in the Millwall squad heading into this season after two promising spells for Bromley, helping them reach the EFL for the first time in their history before helping them establish themselves in League Two under Andy Woodman with a midtable finish in their debut season.
His efforts with the Ravens saw him earn a new contract in South London last month, and was finally handed a first senior appearance for the club by Neil in their EFL Cup first round tie against Newport County. He has also been an unnamed substitute in both of their opening Championship matches, and speaking to BBC Radio London, the Lions’ boss made his stance clear on any potential loan move this season.
“Kamarl we’d like to keep in the building this year, certainly for the first half of the year in particular.
“He got his debut against Newport, we’re hopeful that there will be some opportunities beyond that for him to come in and stake a claim and play.
“It’s always good for players to play but he’s played quite a lot of games and we just want to get him prepared and ready for the level we’re at rather than playing lower levels.
Opportunities may open up for the centre-back in the coming weeks in the starting eleven, with star defender Japhet Tanganga expected to join this weekend’s opponents in Sheffield United, in the coming days as part of a double deal alongside former Norwich City and Everton man Ben Godfrey.
Writers’ View
It has been an exciting summer for Kamarl Grant, with a new long-term deal signed at Millwall and now opportunities firmly on the horizon with the expected exit of Japhet Tanganga. Whilst not likely to be making starts regularly at this stage in his career, the former Derby County academy prospect now has a clear path to first-team football in the Championship. However, with Tanganga needing to be replaced following this sale, Grant’s chances may once again be reduced once that new option arrives at The Den.
