Jackett praises hat-trick hero Puncheon

The winger, who is on loan from Southampton, struck a sweet volley in the first half and twice found the bottom corner in the second period to fire Millwall to a comfortable victory over the Eagles, whose manager George Burley was sacked after the game.

Jackett praised his side’s performance and revealed the Lions are planning to secure a permanent deal for the hat-trick hero in the January transfer window.

He said: “We started well and in the intensity of the local derby our passing was very good and very accurate.

“That helped us, together with some outstanding goals.

“It was a good result and a good performance.

“We want to keep our run going now and build on this result when we go to Derby on Monday.

“In terms of Puncheon, his loan spell runs out after that game.

“We have spoken to Southampton but there is no news yet.

“There will be contact in the coming days at boardroom level, no doubt.

“He is a natural left footed wide player which we haven’t had this season and we are pleased with what he has done so far.”

Jackett also revealed the Lions are hoping to add a few new faces in January but stressed he was determined to keep hold of top scorer Steve Morison, who was absent from the derby with flu.

He said: “We would like to extend Josh McQuoid’s stay at the club.

“To buy experienced forwards at this level is very expensive so we have stepped in on Josh very early in terms of the number of league games he has played.

“I believe he is a player who is going to score goals.

“We’ve got some other targets. To strengthen and improve the squad as we go through January would be great.

“However, we don’t want to sell Steve.

“I really want to keep him.

“Right now I don’t know if the phone is going to ring next week but there hasn’t been anything in the last few days.

“It is not something I, or my chairman, would encourage.”

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