Tony Craig has given his Millwall team-mates a crash course in the club's rivalry with West Ham ahead of their Carling Cup tie.

Very few of Kenny Jackett's side were at the club when the two clubs last met four years ago in a 1-1 draw.

So skipper Craig, a lifelong Millwall fan, Neil Harris and Paul Robinson have been working overtime to make sure the youngsters and overseas players in the team are aware of what to expect at Upton Park.

"If they didn't know before what this means they certainly do now," said defender Craig.

"There have been a few of the senior boys telling them about the rivalry between the two clubs and certainly the supporters.

"They know now and know that it means a lot, but these lads play for the shirt and give a good account of themselves every time they put it on."

Millwall's chances of claiming a place in the third round are likely to hinge on how well their makeshift back-four can handle the threat of West Ham's attack.

Originally a left-back, Craig will start alongside Andy Frampton in the heart of a Lions defence that is still missing injured centre-backs Robinson and Zak Whitbread.

And manager Jackett is waiting for a phone call from Wolves boss Mick McCarthy to find out whether he has permission to play on-loan left-back George Friend.

But Millwall have not conceded a goal in almost 400 minutes of football since the opening day 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Jackett said: "Everyone keeps saying it's a patched-up back four, and it probably is, but we have kept four clean sheets in a row. If that's from a patched-up back four, then that's not bad and long may it continue."

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has made no secret of his view that the Carling Cup offers his side their best chance of gaininig a place in European competition next year. And while he would like to rest key players in a clash that comes only two days after the home defeat by Tottenham, the Italian claims he has no choice but to field his senior players, particularly up front where he is worringly short of back-up for striker Carlton Cole.

Zola said: "If I rest players, I've got nobody to play with. I don't think we're in a position where we can leave out many players. We will try to present a team that can do the job."