Sadlier needed for City test

Millwall manager Mark McGhee said today he is hopeful leading goalscorer Richard Sadlier will recover from injury in time for Wednesday night's clash with First Division leaders Manchester City.

Sadlier, who has scored 16 goals this season, missed Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat against Blackburn with a groin strain.

McGhee was also without veteran forward Steve Claridge, who damaged a tendon in his knee while getting in and out of his car before the game against Blackburn.

He will miss the trip to Maine Road as will Mill-wall's travelling support who are banned following trouble between rival sets of supporters at games last season. City fans were banned from The Den when their team won 3-2 there last month.

McGhee said: "When we played them here and there were no Manchester City fans it was strange. They scored first and you could have heard a pin drop.

"I don't know what will happen up there if we score first. It will probably make their crowd louder. But it won't faze my players." McGhee isn't worried about the effect of Saturday's defeat either. Nor should he be. His young team, who were also without suspended goalkeeper Tony Warner, acquitted themselves well against a Premiership side who have just booked their place in the Worthington Cup Final.

They had plenty of chances to win it, too. Paul Ifill should have done better with an 18th-minute chance but shot wide and a Darren Ward header was brilliantly saved by Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel five minutes before half-time.

It was a similar story after the break with Mill-wall dominating possession and midfielder Tim Cahill controlling the flow of play.

However, as time wore on Blackburn's class and superior fitness began to show and their £7.5 million striker Andy Cole, who was jeered throughout by the home crowd, delivered the perfect riposte jumping to head home Alan Mahon's cross for the winner four minutes from time.

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