Cahill in promise over play-offs

Tim Cahill today denied that Millwall are being distracted by the FA Cup Final and insisted the players are "hungry" to get promoted.

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins voiced his concerns after the 2-1 defeat to Watford on Tuesday that some players were "being careful" not to pick up any knocks ahead of the Manchester United game next month.

But Cahill said promotion is still the priority for the eighthplaced Lions - who were overtaken by Crystal Palace after the Eagles' 3-0 win over Sunderland last night saw the Selhurst Park outfit move into seventh spot.

"I don't think anyone should worry that our minds are not on getting into the play-offs with the Cup Final coming up," he said.

"Everyone's put that completely to one side, because we are all so hungry to get promoted and we believe if we get in the play-offs we are good enough to beat anyone."

However, the midfielder admits that challenging for success on two fronts is taking its toll on the squad.

"What we have needed more than anything is a bit of a rest," he said. "The Watford game was our 16th in just under two months. For us to have maintained the consistency we have over that period, in spite of the injuries says a lot."

Cahill will sit out Saturday's game against Reading and next week's trip to Derby following his red card against Cardiff.

He knows one more yellow card, to add to the 14 he has accumulated this season, would mean an additional threematch suspension, including either two play-off semi-finals or the FA Cup Final.

"This has obviously been at the back of my mind," admitted Cahill. "I now have to be professional and recognise I can't afford another mistake."

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