CITY are braced for a real “ding dong” with fellow promotion contenders Millwall.

Stuart McCall is predicting a fierce battle tomorrow between two sides with realistic top-six ambitions.

The pair drew 1-1 at the Den four months ago and the City boss, who has a full squad to pick from, sees another close encounter on the cards.

McCall reflected: “I said Millwall would be top six after we played them down there and they will be. They are strong all over.

“It will be a really tight game but I’ve got the confidence in our group of players to go up against anyone – but we’ve got to perform.

“I think it will be a ding-dong game. Sometimes you face sides who come here and sit in and you have to break them down.

“Millwall won’t be like that. They are very direct and have two forwards who cause problems and will run all day.

“It will be end to end and we’ve got to be on our best form, which we have a lot of times this season, to get the win.”

After the midweek victory in the Checkatrade Trophy, McCall is looking for another strong response to the league loss at Shrewsbury, which he described as the “most ineffective” performance of their season.

“Tuesday was about the spirit and togetherness of the group because we went with the same squad. Although it was a trek, we were all together and it was good.

“I think Millwall and us are very similar. We’ve both got that spirit and have good, experienced players who know the game.

“These are two really determined, equal sides and it’s who gets that bit of luck on the day or plays at the top of their game. We believe we can do that.”

Millwall yesterday re-signed winger Jed Wallace on loan from Wolves but are set to name the same team for the seventh time in a row.

McCall anticipates a more physical encounter than in September and said: “We controlled a lot of the game down there, particularly first half, but we didn’t have strength in depth at the beginning of the season.

“We hit the inside of the post in the last minute and it was a good performance by us.

“But we know what to expect. We won’t be shocked by anything and everybody has got to be ready physically and mentally to go at it from the first whistle.

“It’s about standing up for the fight because it’s going to be a real battle.”

Josh Cullen has felt no problem from the stud he got in the thigh in midweek.

Filipe Morais is back in full training after his calf injury but will not be considered for tomorrow.