MILLWALL manager Mark McGhee today fired the opening shot in the war of mind games ahead of Saturday's derby with Gillingham at The New Den. Though Millwall are seventh and Gillingham 17th, McGhee insisted: "Gillingham are the favourites and we are the underdogs."

After watching Wednesday's 3-0 demolition of Crystal Palace, he added: "Gillingham have been in Division 1 longer than us and beat us in the Worthington Cup earlier in the season so they start with an advantage.

"They are an experienced side who know what Division 1 is all about while we have what is essentially a young team." Despite the impressive manner with which they disposed of Palace, Gillingham player-manager Andy Hessenthaler is not being lulled into a false sense of security by McGhee. He retorted: "We're facing a Millwall side beaten once in their last 12 games. And that defeat came in the last seconds against Wolves. Need I say more?"

Hessenthaler's reluctance to change winning teams will be severely tested by J-Lloyd Samuel's return to contention. The on-loan Aston Villa defender missed the Palace match as he was on duty with the England Under-20 side against Portugal at Southampton.

Hessenthaler, who is looking to extend the impressive Samuel's loan when it expires after next Friday's home game against Birmingham, must decide whether to recall him for the derby or retain David Perpetuini on the left side of defence.