Millwall manager Gary Rowett has claimed he is 'not surprised' by reports linking Charlie Cresswell with a permanent switch to Norwich City after a 'really good' start to the season. Cresswell is reportedly being monitored by the Canaries in case Leeds United deem the England U21 international surplus to requirements at Elland Road, according to the Sun's Alan Nixon.
Despite an impressive start to the campaign, Cresswell has found himself out of the Millwall squad completely in the last two matches after a difficult run of form. Rowett has moved from a back five to a back three in recent weeks and Cresswell is the player who has been most affected by the tactical change.
Speaking to NewsatDen, via Southwark News, Rowett claimed it was a difficult decision to leave Cresswell out, but insisted that his time will come again because of the potential he possesses.
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He said: “It’s not a surprise, he’s been really, really good. For a first loan, to come into a difficult division when we’ve probably not been at our best in that period, he’s done really, really well.
“He’s another one that, because of the formation change, I had to make a decision on which two centre-halves I chose. One was my captain and one was my vice-captain, it’s very, very difficult.
“Again, there’ll be an opportunity at some point for Charlie to come back into the side and he’s got to be ready to stay in it when he does. All the external stories and whatever, I’m not surprised. He’s a really good player and one with a lot of potential.
“I can’t control all of those things. All I can do is try and pick the team that I think is going to win the game and then try to give the players that are not in the side an opportunity to try and stake their place.
“Football changes very, very quickly and the players out of the team or out of the squad just need to be ready. When they get their chance, they’ll have an opportunity to try and keep their place.”
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