WHEN many would prefer to run for cover, Jason McAteer is looking forward to renewing old acquaintances at Old Trafford tomorrow.

The Sunderland midfielder will go head on into his own personal battle with Millwall's confrontational cockney player-manager Dennis Wise.

It will be the first time the two have crossed paths since the Black Cats lost 2-1 at The Den in mid-January, when McAteer labelled the Lions' boss a 'cheat'.

McAteer also claimed: 'If he 'wants the shirt off my back he can ring up Sunderland and get it'. So, in true Crazy Gang style, Wise, a former Wimbledon midfielder, did.

In the cold light of day the Irishman has had time to reflect on events that Saturday in the capital, when Wise succeeded in ruffling the affable Scouser.

And tomorrow, when the pair line up in the all-First Division FA Cup semi-final, club captain McAteer will present a peace offering to the Millwall boss by handing over his shirt for Wise's son, Henry.

The Sunderland star admits their duels over the years have proved so appetising because both players share the same hunger to win but he is convinced he will not be the first to bite when Wise offers the bait.

"Dennis is a player who gives 100 per cent every game," said McAteer. "He has a will to win and he does everything to try to make sure that happens. He is probably out of the same pod as me.

"We were two professionals fighting battles that day and it got a little bit personal. He kicked me in the head and all that kind of stuff.

"It just got out of hand and a little bit silly. I look back now and I think that I didn't really perform because I got too wound up in that particular battle.

"I could have played better and I was disappointed. I don't want to go down that road again."

McAteer's claims in January were on the basis that the former England midfielder should have been sent off on three occasions - including when he appeared to be kicked in the face by the 37-year-old.

But those sort of incidents are just what McAteer has come to expect.

"I remember one game for Liverpool at Chelsea when Dennis was still there," says the 32-year-old.

"I went over to Dennis and he grabbed my nipple. I had five finger marks and when I went home the bruises took some explaining to the missus.

"They looked like love bites. He has always been the same, Dennis. He's been a great pro and he's honest and doing well at Millwall."

Like Wise, Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy started his managerial career at Millwall and, in a weird twist of fate, both clubs have been drawn together in the last four of the FA Cup.

McCarthy has worked wonders on Wearside since taking over in March last year, when he knew a massive squad-stripping job was required.

Since dropping into the Nationwide League, Sunderland halted a 17-match league losing run and have since climbed to third in Division One and progressed in the FA Cup.

Victory at Old Trafford will guarantee UEFA Cup football next season, even if they lose the final, and McAteer said: "Mick has done a fantastic job.

"I see it a bit like Ireland. He lost a lot of players when he first went in and he had to rebuild that team.

"He's done a very similar job here. Day-to-day he's hands on again and he's doing well, just as he worked wonders with the kids of Ireland.

"I don't want him to leave but he must be one of the most sought-after managers around because of his record. He's so passionate about the game.

"There's been so much adversity and disappointment here but the greatest thing for me is that we have turned things around and it's great."

McAteer, who wore one of the infamous cream suits in the pre-match Wembley walkabout, was part of the Liverpool side that lost to Manchester United in the 1996 final. Despite only having a runners-up medal, the humorous Ireland international has had a special relationship with the competition.

He said: "Getting to the final with Liverpool was special because it was my first and I scored my first goal in one of the rounds against Rochdale in front of the Kop.

"I also had special runs with Bolton as well. I have always had a good little thing with the FA Cup. Scoring against Arsenal and knocking them out, it was great.

"I'm older now as well and I appreciate that this is probably not going to happen to me ever again."

In fact McAteer believes he is lucky to be in a semi-final this time, as he thought he was going to be a part of the big name Stadium of Light exodus last summer.

"When I went down to the dressing room and there was no name on my locker then I knew I was in trouble," joked McAteer, who stayed while close friends like Kevin Phillips, Kevin Kilbane and Gavin McCann departed.

"I started panicking but the gaffer obviously gave me a chance and he knows what I'm about.

"I was desperate to stay because Mick had come in and he makes you smile every day in training.

"I've settled into the area and the lads here are fantastic. I was desperate to stay."

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