Neil Harris has issued a strong message to Leeds United ahead Millwall’s trip to Elland Road this weekend.

The Lions are battling it out at the bottom of the division to retain their Championship status and will come up against a Whites side who have ambitions of leaving the league in the opposite direction.

After a relatively successful FA Cup campaign came to a cruel end before the international break, Millwall can now focus on the league with no distractions from elsewhere.

Harris’ men are two places and one point ahead of the drop zone with a tough set of fixtures ahead of them, starting with Leeds on Saturday.

It may be a daunting prospect that falls to his players, but the Millwall boss has stressed what his side intent to do ahead of the clash.

A win could do wonders for the Lions while damaging former League one promotion rivals Leeds’ chances of making an automatic return to the Premier League.

And ahead of the game, Harris told NewsAtDen, the message to his players is clear.

“We’re going there to win the game, and that’s the clear message to the group,” he said.

“The lads have been vibrant the last ten days because of the performance at Birmingham, and they carried it into Brighton when we were so much better than a Premier League side but didn’t get over the line.

“The boys are great; they look hungry and sharp, and you certainly wouldn’t think the end of the season was nigh-on upon us. They’re in great nick.”

Harris added: “It’s a good one to look forward to because sometimes you have a couple of weeks off and then don’t know what to expect.

“But we know what to expect from Leeds; they’re as fit as anyone in the division and play with a real tempo with and without the ball.

“We have to be ready, and the players will be ready. We’ve trained to be ready for it.

“What a great challenge, 35-40,00 at Elland Road. Our fans love going there, and the atmosphere will be electric.”

The verdict

You could forgive some managers for going to Elland Road and hoping to get a draw at best.

But Harris is in bullish mood and has outlined his side’s plans to go there and win.

Doing just that would inflict only the fifth defeat at home for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

It is a tough ask but confidence seems to be at a season-high for Millwall ahead of the clash after some impressive performances in the club and the win away at Birmingham.