Cody McDonald returns to his manor this afternoon - hoping to give his mates something to cheer about. The former Dartford player, who lives at Witham in Essex, is hoping that goals in each of his last two games will give him the nod over rival Oli Johnson for the starting berth up front alongside Chris Martin.

Cody McDonald returns to his manor this afternoon - hoping to give his mates something to cheer about.

The former Dartford player, who lives at Witham in Essex, is hoping that goals in each of his last two games will give him the nod over rival Oli Johnson for the starting berth up front alongside Chris Martin.

It may be short-lived, with leading scorer Grant Holt back next week after serving his three-game suspension, but McDonald's enjoying the moment - and hoping it continues today.

“I've just had a bit of banter about how many tickets I need,” said McDonald. “I have a few mates coming down because their games are getting called off because of the weather and it would be good if I can get a start in front of them.”

McDonald has started just one league game under manager Paul Lambert - against Hartlepool last weekend - and he's realistic enough to admit that his own scoring form doesn't warrant a start ahead of Holt or Martin.

“I don't think so,” he said. “I have to try and prove it a bit more consistently and hopefully if I can get the chance against Millwall it would be nice if I could maybe score again and then give him something to think about next week when Grant's back.”

McDonald's problem - like Johnson's - are the stats: Holt, Martin and Wes Hoolahan have more than a half-century of goals between them in all competitions.

“They have been brilliant,” he said. “Although I am disappointed I am on the bench it's actually a pleasure to watch people like that play in front of me and it makes it a lot easier when you're not playing watching players like that score goals week in, week out - it's been really good to be part of it.

“Obviously the manager has showed the last couple of games he has got faith in us to step up to the plate, but we have got a big squad here and like the manager keeps saying, it is going to take all of us to win this league.”

A neat half-volley after coming of the bench at Walsall clinched a vital three away points 11 days ago, and then last weekend's header levelled matters a minute after Hartlepool had taken the lead.

“I'm very pleased with the way I'm playing,” said the 23-year-old. “The manager has given me a chance. Unfortunately Grant has been out, but that's given me the chance and hopefully I can repay him.”

So which game did he prefer?

“Probably the start, to be fair,” he said. “Although the one coming off the bench was very important because I'd been waiting for the start and when I got it I think I had to prove to a few people that I could do it from the beginning so I think I was more happy with that one.”

Goal number one came from a pin-point cross by Hoolahan - the second an equally accurate ball into the area by right back Russell Martin.

“I work with them every day in training and I know what they are capable of doing so basically they just put the ball in the right areas and it's up to us to finish it off,” said McDonald. “But they are brilliant players and they are well capable of doing things like that so you just have to be aware of it.”

McDonald will be hoping for a sniff at goal today - on his first visit to Millwall.

“I've never played there, but I am really looking forward to going there,” he said. “You hear stories about things that go on there so we will just taker it as it comes and hopefully we can grind out a result and come away with the three points and leave it like that.”