Matija Sarkic: Millwall to retire the shirt number in honour of goalkeeper

The Millwall squad are currently on a pre-season tour in Spain, where they face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday and Real Murcia on Friday.

Speaking ahead of the game to BBC Radio London, midfielder George Honeyman said he did not think the players would ever fully get over the loss of Sarkic.

“It’s a weird one in football because people come and go every off-season, so in a weird sense we’re kind of still just waiting for him to walk through the door,” the 29-year-old said.

“And, you know, give the lads a big hug, see how your off-season’s been, all the normal sort of craic.”

Sarkic’s breakthrough in the Millwall first team came in December when he replaced regular first-choice goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski under then-head coach Joe Edwards.

He made 33 appearances in all competitions as the club won their last five league games to comfortably avoid relegation and end the season 13th in the Championship.

“Obviously, I think we’re looking forward to celebrating him with the fans on the first game back at The Den,” Honeyman added.

“It’s a work in progress, and I don't think many of us have had many experiences of this sort, so that’s where we need each other and the staff.

“It’s tough. The lads are up and down with it, but we’re a pretty tight-knit group, so we’ll take comfort in that we’ve got each other.”