John Oster will be fit again in time for Saturday’s match against Dennis Wise’s team at the New Den. The Welshman missed out on taking part in last weekend’s victory against Nottingham Forest because of a calf strain – but he’s told Mick McCarthy that he’s fit for battle again.
Paul Thirlwell is another player who has also missed matches with a calf strain, but he is expected to be back in the squad at the weekend.
Julio Arca will not travel to Zampa Road after picking up his 5th yellow card of the season against Hartlepool two weeks ago. The ban is the Argentinian’s third already this season and he said “When things are going this well you want to play every day but I must wait two weeks for another game. I don’t think I’ve scored in three games in a row and I’m not going to get the chance to do so.”
Sean Thornton took part in the reserves’ 3-1 defeat against Middlesbrough earlier this week for 78 minutes – his first competitive action since being stretchered off with ankle ligament damage during the reserves’ match against Newcastle last September. But he will NOT feature against Millwall because he isn’t fully match-fit.
Gary Breen is back in training but will not be risked at The Den, although it’s hoped he will be back for the first team in the next 1 – 2 weeks.
Matty Piper, who hasn’t seen first team action since Sunderland’s 2-0 win at Preston in August, is hoped to be available for selection in around 6-8 weeks.
