Graham Rix comes face-to-face tonight with the man he succeeded in the hot seat at Fratton Park.

Local hero Steve Claridge takes on his hometown club for the first time since being relieved of his duties last season by Rix when Millwall host Portsmouth at the New Den.

As a striker which saw him score 37 goals in 100 games and later as manager, Claridge, born in Fareham, became a cult figure in the city.

His brief managerial reign came when he was announced as Tony Pulis's successor in October 2000, but after a scintillating run of seven games unbeaten things turned sour and three months later Rix was brought in.

Rix insists there are no hard feelings. "This game is not about Steve Claridge against Portsmouth," said Rix.

"It is about Millwall against Portsmouth, and Steve will be aware of that. I am sure Stevie will be highly motivated and hoping to win but hopefully we can.

"I don't have a problem with him and he hasn't got a problem with me and we are friends. I hope he does very well but only after we have beaten him tomorrow night and I think he will have the same attitude towards us, and I would expect him to."

Claridge's goals fired the Lions to one place above Pompey in the First Division as they continue a strong run, while Portsmouth slip the other way.

Rix yesterday made his players sit through a video of Saturday's disappointing 4-2 defeat by Crewe to try and show them where they had gone wrong.

In a positive mood afterwards he said: "Millwall are a good side and Mark McGhee has got them fired up and it will be a severe test for us.

"If we have aspirations of getting into the Premiership we have to still be in there in January which means getting something from every game over Christmas and New Year."

Rix will again be able to call on the services of Linvoy Primus and Robert Prosinecki but Nigel Quashie will miss the game through suspension.

Star striker Peter Crouch has denied rumours linking him with a move to Premiership Blackburn saying: "It is just speculation and I am very happy at Portsmouth."

Meanwhile, Rory Allen came through 65 minutes for Portsmouth Reserves yesterday in a 1-1 draw with Barnet, and was unlucky not to score.

It was the £1million striker's first action since returning to competitive football after twice recovering from breaking an ankle, along with knee ligament surgery.

But there was disappointment for midfielder Shaun Derry who was also due for a return after a lengthy spell on the treatment table, but he was withdrawn at the last minute after tweaking a hamstring.