Millwall boss Neil Harris says promotion is more important than FA Cup run
Thursday 16 February 2017 19:16, UK
Neil Harris insists that securing promotion is more important for Millwall than going on an extended run in the FA Cup.
Premier League champions Leicester visit the Den on Saturday, with the hosts having already overcome two top-flight opponents in Watford and Bournemouth to earn the fifth round tie.
Millwall were beaten by Barnsley in the play-off final last season and Harris believes that promotion from Sky Bet League One, even via Wembley, is the most important objective for the sixth-placed club.
Asked if he would swap going far in the cup for promotion, he said: "100 per cent. The aim at the start of the season was to get to the play-offs and try and emulate getting to the final but actually winning it this year.
"We have had a couple of difficult spells at the start of December and the middle of September - two runs of defeats - but we are in a really good place at the moment. The team spirit is excellent and individually and collectively we are playing really well.
"This is a huge game for us, the players and the fans are really looking forward to it but I will admit that my mind has already turned to Chesterfield on Tuesday."
Millwall have not lost in all competitions since December 17 going into the clash with the struggling Foxes.
They were boosted by Calum Butcher being able to train on Thursday, despite having an unspecified injury after Tuesday's league win over Port Vale, but Harris has other fitness concerns.
"Butch has trained so he has had a few training sessions," Harris said. "He is available for the squad if we chose to use him.
"Ben [Thompson] and Lee [Gregory] are a 50/50 call; the game could come too soon. We are hoping they will be available for Tuesday, it is just whether they make it in time for this one. It would be last minute.
"There are a few knocks and bruises from the other night, we have had a real physical run of games because we make them physical but they are the type of games where we pick up knocks and there will be a couple we will have to see if they will make it or not."
