Dublin makes most of new lease of life

Most strikers with a record as good as Dion Dublin's would consider it a blow to their pride to drop from the Premiership to the First Division.

In a 14-year career, the 33-year-old has played for England and Manchester United, scoring 152 goals in 372 league appearances.

But when Dublin was told he did not figure in Aston Villa's plans, he decided to try his luck with a loan move to Millwall. Since his arrival, he has scored three times in six games and helped turn round the Lions' fortunes.

Before Dublin joined they had lost four games in a row and were in danger of slipping out of the play-off places. Since then, they have won five times and drawn once and are just two matches away from the Premiership.

Millwall play Birmingham in the second-leg of their play-off semi-final at The Den tonight, after drawing 1-1 at St Andrew's. The winners will play Norwich - 3-2 aggregate winners over Wolves, despite last night's 1-0 defeat at Molineux - in Cardiff on 12 May.

Manager Mark McGhee has no doubts about how influential Dublin's presence has been and believes his Standard Sport Player of the Month award for April, which includes a bronze statuette and magnum of Moet & Chandon champagne, is richly deserved. He said: "If we hadn't got Dion we could have lost our next five games and missed the play-offs. The lads suddenly saw some light because they had a target they could hit. It renewed their confidence."

Part of the reason for this was that much of Millwall's success this season has been based on making the most of their 6ft 2ins Republic of Ireland striker Richard Sadlier.

His hip injury opened the door for Dublin and gave him the chance to shine before Villa make him available this summer.

Dublin said: "Coming to Millwall has given me a new lease of life. My immediate ambition is to get this Birmingham game won but it is hard to know about the long term. I want to stay in the Premiership but there may not be anybody who wants me."

Millwall's success in the playoffs may decide their chances of securing his services as his wages could be a problem in the First Division. But Dublin said:

"I would love to carry on playing until I am 36 or 37 and if I have to come down a division I know I have enjoyed it here.

"I did not start at the top but in the old Fourth Division. I have had some great moments but playing for Cambridge in the 1990 Fourth Division playoff final at We m b l e y and scoring the only goal against Chesterfield is my favourite."

Eventually he would like to take up coaching but not yet. "I want to keep playing because this is the best job in the world," he said.