Jackett wants more progress from striker (From This Is Local London)

Jackett wants more progress from striker

1:17pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in Millwall News & Reports By Paul Green

LIONS manager Kenny Jackett is looking for John Marquis to build on his impressive pre-season form if he is to win a place back in the starting XI.

The young striker was a regular starter in the early stages of last season but was forced on to the sidelines by a hernia operation.

Marquis did make a couple of starts on his return to fitness but essentially found himself on the bench for the remainder of the campaign following the emergence of the Andy Keogh-Harry Kane partnership.

But with three goals to his name from Millwall’s summer tour of Ireland, Marquis is clearly full of confidence and now Jackett wants more of the same ahead of the new season.

The Den chief said: “He had 19 games in the Championship last year, which is good for a teenager, and he needs to build on that this year if he can.

“John has got a few goals in pre-season, which is good, as well as some first team experience up front with Andy Keogh.

“The Irish tour was very good.

“I was pleased with the overall fitness of the players and the attitude.

“The Irish games are quite tough early on, which is exactly what you need to build up your match fitness and to get your body hardened for the battles ahead.”

Shaun Batt was taken off in the second half of last weekend’s 3-0 win at Glenavon but looks set to feature in this Saturday’s visit to Crawley.

Jackett said: “Shaun is fine with the build up of a hard week. He has done all of the pre-season training and played a part in all of the games so far.

“They’ve just been the three games in Ireland but I’ve been pleased with his pre-season, he has made good strides and I think he is certainly an addition for us and our forward line going into the Championship games.”

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