Rowett: I don’t have to sell ace in pack Jed

MILLWALL manager Gary Rowett insists he will not be forced to sell star man Jed Wallace in January ahead of today’s game with Brentford.

Wallace’s free-kick rescued a point at Cardiff City.

It was his ninth goal of an impressive season and, as well as cancelling out Aden Flint’s opener, added to the interest Wallace is attracting from Premier League and rival Championship clubs. But Rowett is confident the Lions can hold onto the 25-year-old former Portsmouth star.

He said: “January will come at a good time for us because we are running out of steam in a few positions. I expect interest in the players who are performing well.

“What I would say is that we are not a selling club. The owner has made it clear that we don’t need to sell.

“Those moments like the one from Jed are the difference when games are tight.”

The only drama came in the closing stages of the opening 45 minutes when Millwall were denied a penalty. Cardiff defender Curtis Nelson scrambled back and took Tom Bradshaw down without getting a touch on the ball, but referee David Webb waved away the protests for a penalty.

Bartosz Bialkowski stood strong to deny Cardiff striker Robert Glatzel just before the half-time whistle.

The Lions goalkeeper went one better the other side of the interval with a stunning save to deny Lee Tomlin’s volley.

He was powerless to stop the Bluebirds from taking the lead after 60 minutes, though.

Left-back Joe Bennett swung in a corner that was flicked on by Marlon Pack at the front post, and there was nobody tracking the run of Flint as he ghosted into the six-yard box to tap in.

But Wallace hauled Millwall back level within four minutes with his ninth goal of the season. Pack hauled down Shaun Williams to give Wallace a dangerous dead-ball opportunity, and the Lions star stepped up and fired an unstoppable free-kick past Neil Etheridge.

The draw extended Cardiff ’s winless run to four and boss Neil Harris demanded more from his side, starting at Wednesday. The ex-Lions boss said: “We are creating chances – 13 and several on target, – but are they clear-cut? Are we making them in open play? Do I want more from my wide players? Do I expect more? Yes I do.”