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But despite a recent injury and suspension crisis that has seen Dennis Wise rely on youngsters Kevin Braniff and Joe Healy, the player-manager has no regrets about letting the popular striker leave The Den.
Harris, who only needed one more league goal to break Teddy Sheringham's scoring record, was allowed to leave after falling out of favour with Wise and his departure upset many Lions fans.
However, for Dennis Wise, such criticism is water of a duck's back and he stands by his decision.
"Neil had a lot of opportunities under my management. But, although he tried very hard, he went through a barren spell," explained Wise.
"He was going down the pecking order with regard to the other strikers and so he left - but it was never hard to leave him out of the team, even though he was a favourite with the fans.
"If a player isn't playing well, he doesn't play. You can't go on past achievements."
For his part, Harris is desperate to start tomorrow's game to show Wise what he is capable of and he admits that all sentiments he may have for the club will be put to one side until after game has finish.
The 27-year-old has yet to score in his four starts for the Reds but is hoping to break his duck against his former team-mates.
"I am looking forward to it," said Harris in the Nottingham Evening Post. "I have a lot of old friends and there is no ill feeling towards anybody.
"A lot of my friends will be playing but you have to be professional.
"For 90 minutes you have to put friendship aside. I have spoke to a couple of the lads at Millwall this week and they are looking forward to it.
"We have talked about things and the lads know that if I am playing I will want to prove something and do well against them.
"They know how much I always want to win and score so they will have to concentrate to stop me. There is an added incentive and I want to be able to beat them so I can bring it up for a long time in conversation. It has the added spice of the new gaffer coming in and nobody has any idea of what team he is going to select."
The game also sees new coach Dave Bassett return to the City Ground, where he once managed, as the Lions look to return to winning ways after a run of three straight defeats.