MIDFIELDER Jack Powell has returned to Millwall following his loan spell at National League Braintree Town.

Powell joined Danny Cowley’s side on November 27 last year, making his debut in a 0-0 draw with Torquay United having made just three starts for Millwall this season and none in the league since August 29.

Powell, who will turn 22 later this month, made three appearances during his stay at Cressing Road, but his opportunities for more first-team action were affected as three of Braintree’s scheduled seven games during his time there were postponed due to bad weather.

They last played a competitive fixture on December 26, and Harris confirmed that factor and George Saville’s return to parent club Wolves were the main reasons why Powell is back at Millwall.

Powell, who made his debut against Wycombe in a League Cup game in August 2014, will now attempt to force his way back into his manager’s plans, but Harris also isn’t ruling out another loan move for the player this month.

“Jack’s come back to us today purely because Braintree have had no games,” Harris said. “Jack went there to play some football for a manager he knows and that I know.

“It’s a good level of football in a team that’s doing well. Unfortunately they’ve had a lot of games called off because of a wet pitch. It looks like it’s going to continue to be that way.

“So we called him back – and especially with George going back to Wolves as well – Jack will start training with us and get some minutes for us in behind-closed-doors friendlies and with the U21s with a view to trying to force his way back into the group or going out again.”