By Alex Gibbings
Rochdale host Millwall in an FA Cup Fourth Round replay on Tuesday night, with a home tie against either Newport County or Tottenham Hotspur up for grabs.
League One side Dale come into the replay after a 1-0 win away at Northampton Town at the weekend.
Likewise, Championship outfit Millwall also tasted victory on the road on Saturday, beating Reading 2-0 at the Madejski, leaving the Lions in 14th in the table.
A 2-2 draw at the end of the month back at The New Den meant that a replay back at the Crown Oil Arena would be needed to separate the two sides, who are currently 33 places apart, but despite the gap, Rochdale manager Keith Hill remains hopeful of an upset.
Talking to Rochdale’s club website, Hill said: “We challenged Millwall all the way to the death in the original game at The Den, and we feel as though we’re a good side.
“It’s a good game for us to be involved in. The players will be up for it, we’ll be fully recovered, and we’ll try and get a victory.”
Tuesday night’s test in Lancashire could see a first outing for January loan signing, Ben Marshall, although the Lions will be without other new arrival Harry Toffolo, with the left-back ineligible after playing for Doncaster Rovers, whilst on-loan from former club Norwich City, in the previous rounds.
Millwall will also be without Tim Cahill, with the Australian midfielder still to make his much-anticipated second debut for the club after signing just before deadline day.
#TheReturn pic.twitter.com/ZjZ33vkCs7
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) January 29, 2018
Despite Cahill’s absence, Millwall manager Neil Harris will be looking for the rest of his squad to make amends for the first fourth round clash between these two sides, which saw League One Dale just seconds away from victory, before Ben Thompson’s last minute equaliser.
Speaking to London News, Harris said: “The players are fully aware of the disappointment over the opening hour at The Den in the first game and how they let themselves down in that period.
“They showed great character and resilience to get themselves back into the game and were unfortunate to not win it in the end.”