Millwall manager Gary Rowett has challenged youngster Daniel Ballard to maintain his eye-catching displays after impressing in his short spell on loan from Arsenal.
The young defender departed the Emirates Stadium earlier this summer to join Championship side Millwall on a short-term deal.
He is set to stay with the Lions until the end of the 2021/22 campaign for what is his first experience of football in England's second tier.
Despite that, the 21-year-old has made an impressive start to life at The New Den having made nine appearances in all competitions and already opened his goalscoring account for the club.
Ahead of his side’s Carabao Cup meeting with Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Leicester City, Rowett has been full of praise for the young defender, whilst also challenging Ballard to continue his positive start to life as a Millwall player.
He said: "We watched him last year and we were impressed. There is always that question mark over a young player: Can they step up?
"But the fact is that he played for Northern Ireland against the likes of [Norway striker Erling] Haaland, he had been tested at that higher level already.
"What I would say is he’s handled it all really well so far. He’s handled that step-up, his performances have been excellent.
"Goal-scoring for a centre-back is a nice added bonus. He’s shown he can defend really well and that’s the main thing we’re pleased with.
"I think it’s been good so far for everybody involved [in the move] and for Dan’s career. Now he’s got to maintain that – that’s the challenge."
Ballard is a product of the Gunners’ Hale End academy and has had previous loan spells with Swindon Town and Blackpool.
He is yet to make his first team debut for Arsenal but has appeared for the under-23s in the EFL Trophy.
