JOE CAN GET BLACK CATS OUT OF STEW

MILLWALL 1 Cooper 59

SUNDERLAND 1 Cirkin 81

JOE GELHARDT is ready to take on the challenge of replacing top scorer Ross Stewart and fire Sunderland into the play-offs.

The striker, on loan from Leeds, joined the ninth-placed Black Cats to play alongside Stewart.

But after 10-goal Stewart’s season-ending Achilles injury at Fulham last week, Gelhardt was pressed into a lone striking role at Millwall as Sunderland came from behind to salvage a draw.

“I’m not completely sure what my role will be,” said Gelhardt. “It’s unfortunate Ross got injured. I’d have loved to play off him, so yes, if I have to try and do his job and score goals, I like that pressure.

“The aim for me is to play minutes and get game time, but we’re not too far off the play-offs, so why not? It would be stupid not to aim to get the club to the Premier League.”

Gelhardt loved how the 2,800 travelling fans in the 18,524 crowd - the highest at The Den since 1995 - helped extend their run to one loss in seven league games.

He added: “At Leeds the fans help you 10 times more in a game. They give you a chance in the game when sometimes you may think you’re down and out and it was exactly the same today.

“At 1-0 down they were still singing. The support was incredible and played a big part in us getting the equaliser.”

Dennis Cirkin was knocked out (above) heading in the 81st-minute leveller and will miss Wednesday’s FA Cup replay at home to Fulham.

Jake Cooper opened the scoring in the 59th-minute, hooking in while lying on his back, after Millwall saw a George Honeyman effort controversially ruled out in the first half.

Honeyman had the ball in the net but George Saville was belatedly ruled offside.

Lions forward Mason Bennett suffered a suspected broken ankle and skipper Shaun Hutchinson was ruled out with a groin injury. Boss Gary Rowett said: “It just seems to be us at the moment, we can’t quite find that momentum.”