Ben Thompson is adamant Millwall can bounce back from their play-off final heartbreak and secure automatic promotion next season.

After the Lions achieved a top-six finish and downed Bradford over two legs in the semi-final, their hopes of promotion were dashed at Wembley.

Barnsley ran out comfortable 3-1 winners to ensure Millwall face another season in League One.

But when News Shopper asked boyhood Millwall fan Thompson whether automatic promotion is possible next season, his short and simple answer was: “100 per cent.”

The Lions began the campaign in indifferent form and occupied a mid-table spot before Neil Harris instigated a fine run before Christmas.

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Millwall eventually finished the season in fourth position, only just missing out on automatic promotion by four points.

Midfielder Thompson stressed that despite the Wembley disappointment, the Lions could be proud of a promising year under new boss Harris.

He said: “I think it’s been a great season for us overall.

“Not a lot of people expected us to get this far apart from us. Now we have got to bounce back and go again next season and get automatic promotion.”

Thompson also expressed his gratitude to Millwall fans for their support throughout the season and said he was gutted the team could not send them back to south London happy.

The Sidcup-born star added: “The fans have been great all season.

“Every game they come to, home and away, they’ve just been outstanding. Hopefully next season we can get promoted for them.”

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