Millwall manager Neil Harris has hinted that the club are close to bringing in a new goalkeeper after losing three first team stoppers since the end of the season.

The club released Jordan Archer following the end of the campaign while Ben Amos' loan from Bolton Wanderers has expired, with David Martin later agreeing a deal to move to Premier League West Ham.

Harris suggested that the club had not been planning for Martin's departure in particular despite his contract being set to expire at the end of the season.

“We spoke before the season finished about him staying – he [David Martin] wanted to stay, we offered him a contract and he accepted it verbally," he claimed, as reported by South London Press.

"It was just a question of getting it done. Right at the 11th hour West Ham showed an interest and he wanted to explore that avenue."

That now means that the club are currently without a senior 'keeper for next season, but Harris is confident that will not be the case for much longer, revealing: “It means we’re looking for two goalkeepers rather than one.

"We are in talks and a long way down the line with one. I’m relatively positive there will be an outcome on that one too.”

Millwall have already been linked with a two 'keepers in their hunt for a new number one, with The Daily Mirror (06/06, p.57) reporting that the club are interested in Ipswich stopper Bartosz Bialkowski. Turkish outlet Fotospor meanwhile, have claimed that The Lions are interested in 37-year-old Fenerbahce 'keeper Volkan Demirel, who is out of contract with the Turkish giants in the summer and has not been offered a new deal at the club.

The Verdict

This will be a big relief for Millwall.

The club will want to have some goalkeeping options in place as soon as possible to give them the best possible chance to prepare for next season.

You feel the identity of the names linked will also offer encouragement to the club's fans, as the experience of both Bialkowski and Demirel could be invaluable if the club find themselves facing another relegation battle next season.