Neil expects more Millwall signings as Ivanovic injured

Millwall manager Alex Neil says he expects to make further additions to his squad before the start of the Championship season.

The Lions continued their pre-season preparations with a friendly against FC Andorra, with Neil pleased by the progress of both his new arrivals and younger players.

"There will definitely be more additions," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"When we will bring those players in I'm not quite sure, but we're looking to add to the squad."

Neil believes the club have struck a good balance with their recruitment so far, mixing experienced Championship players with younger talent.

"We need to have balance. To get any sort of experienced Championship player on a free is always good business," he said.

"Equally, [Camiel] Neghli and [Derek] Mazou-Sacko, who came in, have done well. That market for us has been a source of success."

The Millwall boss was also encouraged by what he saw from his side in their latest pre-season outing despite defeat after two late goals from the Andorran side.

"It was a good exercise for us. Matius' strike was excellent in the second half. It was good for the new lads to get some minutes in their legs.

"The lads that came on did well. Matius [Servais] scored a great strike, Taïryk [Arconte] showed his pace and power, and [Mark] Sykes at right-back did well. It was good for them."

Neil added that pre-season is as much about building relationships as it is about fitness.

"Camaraderie-wise, it's good for them. They're spending time together and being in each other's company, and that's important.

"Equally, getting them on the pitch, giving them game time and getting them used to the way we play and what our systems look like."

There was, however, an injury setback for striker Mihailo Ivanovic, who has undergone surgery after suffering a fractured metatarsal in his foot.

"He fractured his metatarsal in his foot and had his operation on Monday," Neil reported. "It was successful so now we just need to get him back as soon as we can."

Millwall narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs last season, with Neil admitting the disappointment lingered longer than it normally would.

"It lingered more than most because there was no other game to get over it," he said.

"During the season, you don't have time to dwell on things because you've got another game at the weekend.

"The way it ended, it just finished, so it certainly takes a little bit longer. We've not really discussed it much since we got back."

Despite that disappointment, the Scotsman insists there is no lingering hangover heading into the new season.

"The feeling I've got from everyone is, 'OK, let's go again.' There's no hangover from last year.

"I think it was a very, very good season for us and, as a consequence, we're going to have higher expectations this year. Expectation comes with being successful."