Wise final place under threat

Dennis Wise’s dream of appearing in his fifth FA Cup Final this weekend lies in the hands of an Italian masseur.

Millwall’s 37-year-old player-manager hopes to make history by becoming the first player to win the trophy with three different clubs after past triumphs with Wimbledon and Chelsea.

But Wise flew to Italy this week to seek specialist treatment on a leg injury which threatens to wreck his ambitions.

He has not played in Millwall’s last two matches because of a calf problem and faces a race against time to return against Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium after suffering a complication in training.

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins said: “Unfortunately, yesterday in training Dennis tried to have a little jog and he’s had a slight relapse on a problem he’s had over the last couple of weeks.

“He is getting some alternative treatment and we are only hopeful at the moment he will be okay for Saturday.

“He’ll be back on Thursday to join up with the squad in Cardiff. He’ll have some deep massage.

“In Italy they have masseurs who are with their clubs for many, many years and are extremely qualified in this area.

“Dennis had a muscular problem once before whilst he was at Chelsea [prior to his appearance in the 1998 Cup Winners Cup Final] and he went to this guy and within four days he was sound as a pound. We’ll keep our fingers crossed he’ll make it.

“As you can imagine the years are ebbing away as far as his footballing career is concerned so he’s desperate to play in what will probably be his last FA Cup Final.

“I can assure you he’s itching to be there and to lose him would be like United losing Roy Keane.

“That’s the sort of loss he represents. We’ll give it until five to three on the day and we’ll see how the young bounder goes.

“It will be Dennis’ decision whether he plays. He’s a massive influence on the players around him. He certainly wouldn’t play if it’s going to hinder the efforts of the side.

“But he knows his own body and he’s as fit as a fiddle. If his problems heals well enough he will play.”

Millwall’s limited resources are already stretched to breaking point with at least 11 first team players missing through injury or suspension.

For that reason, 17-year-old midfielder Curtis Weston has been promoted into the travelling party despite making just one senior appearance for the club, as a substitute in their final league game against Bradford.

But Wilkins, a former cup winner with United, insists Millwall have complete faith in such youngsters to step in and perform in the first FA Cup Final in the club’s 119-year history.

He said: “We feel we have some very talented young men at the club and we feel they wouldn’t be at the club if we weren’t prepared to put them in.

“We already have an uphill task but we are playing Manchester United, the biggest club in world football. It would be extremely difficult if everyone was available.

“But the lads are up for it and we have a collective spirit and a chance of bringing the trophy back.”