Albion veteran Steve Claridge today thanked rivals Millwall for saving him from the scrapheap.

The 38-year-old striker is relishing his return to The Den with the Seagulls on Saturday but admits he will find it difficult playing against so many friends.

Millwall rescued Claridge from his lowest point in football after he had been axed as player-manager of home city club Portsmouth.

Current Albion boss Mark McGhee signed Claridge for the Lions, initially on loan and then permanently in July 2001.

He scored 29 goals in 91 League appearances, helping them to the Second Division title and First Division play-offs before becoming player-manager of Weymouth in July 2003.

"It was a massive club for me in terms of getting me going again," Claridge revealed.

"I went there after Portsmouth, which was tough to take. That was probably the lowest point I've had in football.

"I had a few offers at that time, ten or 11 different clubs I could have gone to, but I picked the right one. It was a fantastic experience for me.

"It was touch and go at that stage whether I continued to play football. It was important I made the right choice and for once I did.

"I did well when I was there as well, so it was a perfect move in every sense.

"I've got nothing to prove on Saturday, I'm past all that now. I'm looking forward to seeing all the chaps but it's difficult to go back and play against them, people you know and fans who have been very good to you.

"Before and after everything is different. As soon as the whistle goes there are no friends in this game as they say. You just get on with it. My good times there won't affect the way I play."

Claridge can expect a warm reception and some good-natured ribbing from Millwall's unforgiving fans.

"The supporters were incredible towards me," he said. "There will probably be one or two making comments in the crowd, one or two thousand that is, but they are great.

"It doesn't matter what is said to me. When I went back to Portsmouth I probably got more stick than anybody, but in a way that is a sign of respect as well.

"It doesn't do anyone any harm and I cannot imagine any of it being out of order on Saturday."

The Millwall clash eases the pain for Claridge of missing out on Albion's glamour FA Cup third round tie at Tottenham on January 8 (3pm), after playing in an earlier round of the competition for Weymouth.

"I miss the Tottenham game because I played in front of 412 people at Thame United," he said. "That could only happen to me!

"I knew I was Cup-tied when I left Weymouth, but it is obviously very disappointing. That day is going to be tough for me."

Claridge's one-month contract with Albion expires after Saturday, but McGhee has already indicated he will stay for the rest of the season.

"I'd like to stay," Claridge said. "If they want me to then I don't envisage any problems."