FA CUP talisman Tommy Smith has admitted that Sunderland won't know what to do with themselves this week as they prepare for Sunday's semi-final against Millwall at Old Trafford.

The Black Cats have a welcome break from action after a gruelling schedule of eight games in 24 days.

Mick McCarthy's men have had a midweek match on each of the last five weeks and striker Smith, who scored his seventh goal of the season in Saturday's 2-1 home win over Derby County, said: "It'll be a bit strange not to play midweek - we don't know what to do if we're not playing!

"But we'll get plenty of rest and recuperation. We've not really spoken about the semi-final so far, but it's a nice break to get away from the League and it'll be a great day out. My dad will be there supporting, and that's good enough for me.''

Smith, signed by McCarthy on a free from Watford in September, has been the hero of Sunderland's Cup run with four goals, including both in the fifth-round replay win at Birmingham and the solitary effort that beat Sheffield United in the quarter-final at the Stadium of Light. The extra-time victory at St. Andrews was the start of a nine-game unbeaten run and the Black Cats are now third in the race for promotion.

Smith said: "We're playing well and it seems to have lifted everyone here. We're hitting form at just the right time.''

McCarthy will look to Smith - 24 on Cup final day - to sprinkle more magic against Millwall, with recent signing Darren Byfield ineligible and battering ram target man Kevin Kyle battling to shake off gastro-enteritis. Smith only started against Derby because of Kyle's illness and Marcus Stewart, leading scorer with 13 goals this season, is also eager to press his claims.

Smith said: "With the four strikers we have, the manager is rotating us. Darren has come in and got four goals, so we'll miss him on Sunday.

"It just goes with who is in form and scoring. It can be frustrating if you're not in the team, but the gaffer gives you a chance to come off the bench.

"It varies when you find out if you're in the team, but it's normally after training on a Friday.

"Hopefully I've done enough to keep my place for the semi. Saturday's game was very important for me and Millwall will be the biggest of our season so far. But they're all big games and we need to keep the pressure on the top two. Everyone wants to play and the squad is young, so it would be great to have a blast at the Premiership."

McCarthy, meanwhile, revealed the severity of the bug that laid low Kyle. He said: "He's poorly and he wasn't anywhwere near being a sub for this game.

"He's put a massive effort in lately, and it's taken a toll on him. What he has is quite debilitating and it's left him feeling weak. I would hope he'll be all right for Sunday. He needs rest - and more gruel inside him!''

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