Millwall boss Neil Harris does not expect former team-mate and Australia international Tim Cahill to return to the club next season.

The 38-year-old missed in the Lions’ 1-0 win at home to Aston Villa in the final league game of the Sky Bet Championship through suspension.

He returned to the club he spent six years at in January but spent his time coming off the bench for Neil Harris’ side, with hopes of securing a spot in the Australia national team for the World Cup in Russia this summer.

When asked whether his former team-mate could return next season, Harris told News Shopper: “I wouldn’t have thought so. 

“I’ll be having a catchup with Timmy later over the next couple of days to talk about where his future lies but his family are based in America at the moment and Timmy’s thought process coming here was to make sure he’s getting the level of training, the opportunity of games if they arise, and the best conditional shape for him to be ready for Australia for the World Cup.

“That coupled, obviously with the fact of trying to help us and boost us, and he’s certainly done that on and off the pitch, so we thank him for that. 

“Will there be a chance of him being with us [next season]? I will never rule anything out, that’s for sure, but I think Timmy Cahill - hopefully on the back of a World Cup campaign - will have a lot of offers in the summer from abroad, and possibly from this country, but certainly from abroad and a lot more lucrative than I can offer.”

But Harris believes Cahill will continue playing despite the short return to the Den and he expects him to play on for at least another season before potentially retiring from the game.

Meanwhile, Millwall won their first game at home against the Villains for the first time in the league since December 1989 as they secured eighth position in the league.

Results did not swing their way but still managed to exceed expectations which were put before them at the start of the year, some thinking they would be relegated back to League One.

Harris added: “I said to the boys before the game, ‘These sort of games now we’ve got nothing to play for’. 

“It’s all about the temperament and the spirit within the squad and you saw a top Millwall performance today. I’m delighted that we’ve finished this season with three points and massively delighted to get over 70 points in the league this season. 

“That’s great credit to everyone at this football club.”