MICK McCarthy has told his players that they should hold no fears about the notorious Millwall fans, with the pressure of playing at the New Den nothing compared to playing in front of the expectant home crowd at the Stadium of Light.

Bonfire night for the Sunderland boss and his side will be spent in south-east London, where the Black Cats will be hoping to extend a run of just one defeat in 11 league games, which has seen them climb to third in the table.

A win would push the Wearsiders into second spot for 18 hours at least, but McCarthy is well aware that a certain corner of the capital that is forever Millwall is never an easy place to win.

Sunderland have won just once in their last nine visits to Bermondsey - and that was back in September 1995 when McCarthy was in charge of the Lions.

But the Black Cats boss has no fears of entering the Lions' Den, despite the intimidating atmosphere that the home fans will no doubt generate tonight.

"I don't dress it up as anything special going down there to play," said McCarthy, who was Millwall manager from March 1992 to February 1996.

"I think having to turn out and play at our place in front of our own fans requires players who can stand up and pass it.

"It would be harder to go and play at Manchester United because you have to be a star down there, or when you go and play at Liverpool because they expect their players to be stars and play well.

"They do here as well. To be a Sunderland player and come here and play well you can go anywhere and play.

"Go down to Leicester, or to West Ham when last year there were 30,000 there - Millwall isn't any more difficult than that in any shape or form.

"When I was a manager at Millwall I never thought anyone was scared to come and play us - never.

"It is a difficult place to go and play because they are a good side and have a good following.

"I've been to Iran and Turkey so it pales into insignificance going down to the Den."

McCarthy's concerns were more about who was playing for Sunderland rather than who Sunderland were playing, with the 3-1 win over Wolves on Tuesday night taking its toll.

Gary Breen, Stephen Wright and Stephen Elliott are almost certain absentees, which could see Michael Bridges start his first game in his second spell at the club.

McCarthy said: "He's looking to start games and he's had an influence when he's come on.

"If he gets his start then we'll be looking to see what influence he has from starting a game - which is somewhat different.

"He left here with a blossoming reputation and went on and did well. Then injuries took their toll for three years.

"But you can see his quality - with his technical ability certainly - and I think he's gradually getting there."

Another player who's battling to be fit is the hero of the Wolves game, Liam Lawrence, whose double made it three goals in his last two starts.

But the former Mansfield man, who has bruised ribs, is taking nothing for granted after spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines before returning to the starting XI last weekend against Brighton.

Lawrence said: "It's good to keep your feet on the ground because you never know when you're going to be out of the team.

"Luckily I've got the right manager, the right set of players around me and I've got a good family behind me.

"When I was out of the side the manager told me my chance would come and I'd get another chance to get back in the team.

"But my confidence is sky high and hopefully I can get a run of form and add a few more goals to my tally."

Sunderland (probable): Myhre, Lynch, Collins N, Caldwell, Collins D, Lawrence, Whitley, Robinson, Arca, Bridges, Stewart.

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