Millwall manager Gary Rowett a big admirer of Dyche’s Burnley – and explains why he shut down Manchester City talk

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has held Burnley up as an inspiration ahead of tonight’s EFL Cup tie.

The Lions have knocked out two League Two clubs – Crawley Town and Cheltenham – to reach the third round.

Tonight they host the top-flight Clarets with the winner facing either Manchester City or Bournemouth next week.

But Rowett was quick to end talk of the prospect of taking on Pep Guardiola’s side.

“I shut it down straight away,” he said. “It’s almost suggesting Manchester City are so much better than Burnley. The reality is Burnley are in the same division and competing very well.

“Sean has done a fabulous job. He’s one of the top British coaches around – he has shown and proved that, not just last season but over a number of years.

“And Burnley are very much a club in the mould of what we’re trying to emulate – trying to get to the Premier League and stay there in a sensible way financially.

“It’s going to be a really difficult game but we’ve got to try and go and win. We’ve also got to be respectful that we’re playing against a very good opponent – as we did when we played Sheffield United in the FA Cup. That was a really, really tough game which we didn’t manage to get through.

“We will have half an eye on Saturday with our team selection. But it will be a strong side – no excuses.”