James Heneghan’s Millwall v Northampton Town preview

Competition: Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, second round

Date/time: Tuesday, October 6, 7.45pm

Venue: The Den

Forecast: 17C, showers

Outs and doubts: Millwall: Sid Nelson (rib), Shaun Cummings (hamstring), Paris Cowan-Hall (hamstring), Jimmy Abdou (shoulder), Ed Upson (knee), Shaun Williams (suspended). Cobblers: Brendan Moloney (knee), Rod McDonald (knee), Paul Corry (knee), Ricky Holmes (back), Alfie Potter (dead leg)

Betting: Millwall 10/11, draw 13/5, Northampton 14/5

Form guide: Millwall LDWLWW, Cobblers WDDWWL

Possible line-ups: Millwall (4-4-2): Archer; Edwards, Webster, Beevers, Craig; Onyedinma, Williams, Gregory, O’Brien; Thompson, Marquis. Northampton (4-4-1-1): Clarke; Lelan, Brisley, Cresswell, Buchanan; Potter, Watson, Taylor, D’Ath; Hoskins; Calvert-Lewin

Man in the middle: Iain Williamson

Last time out: Peterborough 5 (Angol, Taylor 2, Forrester, Washington) Millwall 3 (Webster, Craig, Beevers); Wycombe 2 (O’Nien, Rowe) Northampton 3 (Richards, D’Ath, Brisley)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, March 10, 2009 - Millwall 1 (Alexander) Northampton 0

Cobblers connection: Chris Hackett is currently out of favour at Sixfields having been placed on the transfer list at the end of list season, but the 32-year-old winger once enjoyed a successful six-year spell at the Lions. He joined from Heart of Midlothian in 2006 and proceeded to score five goals in 141 appearances.

James Heneghan’s preview: The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is not the most glamorous of competitions but win tonight and the Cobblers will be within three rounds of a Wembley final.

Ryan Watson scored a sublime solo goal to help steer Northampton through to this stage as they beat Colchester United 3-2 at Sixfields, while Shaun Williams’ strike was enough to take Millwall through thanks to a 1-0 win over Peterborough United.

In the league, the Lions are yet to get to grips with life in League One following relegation from the Championship last season. They currently lie 15th with four wins, two draws and five defeats and come into this game on the back of a 5-3 loss away at Peterborough.

Northampton have played Millwall 86 times but not one of those clashes have come in the last five years.

Both sides have injury problems tonight and both are likely to make changes.

Chris Wilder has confirmed Ryan Clarke will start in goal while Jason Taylor is back from suspension and Alfie Potter will play if fully fit. Ryan Watson could also be restored to the starting line-up having sat out the last couple of league games.

Prediction: Millwall 2 Northampton 1