Millwall boss Willie Donachie is planning a huge clear-out as he prepares for his first home game since being appointed on a permanent basis.

The Lions manager believes he has up to ten players who are not good enough for the tough battle ahead and he is already trying to find new clubs for some of them.

Donachie was told a week ago that he has the job on a full-time basis after eight weeks as caretaker since the sacking of Nigel Spackman at the end of September.

He has guided the third-bottom Lions to just three defeats in 11 matches - all away from home - the latest at League One leaders Nottingham Forest on Saturday where they led through Ben May's early goal until the 65th minute.

Now that he has been given the nod for the hot-seat, Donachie is ready to make some tough decisions about letting players go and that will free up funds to invest in new blood.

"We have a lot of good players but we must focus on the very good ones," he said. "I would rather have 16 players of the right quality in the squad than 22 average ones.

"The ones we can let go are not bad players. It's just that they are not up to what we need for where we need to go. Some have already been told and their names circulated to clubs."

Donachie still believes promotion is realistic for the Lions. "It might be a long shot but it is still my target," he said.

Chairman Stewart Till felt Donachie's caretaker period had gone on long enough. He said: "His record has been impressive but the board also felt he is such an exceptionally knowledgeable and smart man, as well as being a very calming influence.

"He has created a fantastic spirit in the dressing room with an exceptionally positive feel on the pitch and the training ground.

"The squad are enjoying playing with each other and there's a real buzz, so it became obvious it was the right decision.

"We have tough games coming up in December and January and it was also important to have Willie confirmed so we can decide what players to bid for."

Donachie is working without an assistant, although he can turn to reserve boss and scout Pat Holland and goalkeeping coach Kevin Dearden.

His appointment has been welcomed by the Millwall Supporters Club. Chairwoman Suzanne Roberts- Attwood said: "There now seems to be more spirit under Willie because they have more respect for him. They appreciate what he says - they look up to him.

"There also seems to be more continuity and stability after the disaster of last season (Millwall were relegated from the Championship with Albion) and the seven managers we've now had in two years.

"Hopefully, that will start to show soon in the team's results."

Millwall have continued to labour in the League under Donachie. Only Cheltenham have lost more games but they set up tonight's clash against Albion by beating Bournemouth 2-0 at home in the last round and they go to Bradford City in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday following a 2-1 victory against Havant and Waterlooville.

Donachie recently signed Tottenham's reserve team captain Charlie Lee on a month's loan.

Lee was replaced midway through the second half at Forest by Frenchman Zoumana Bakayogo, the former Albion trialist.

Striker Tom Brighton, a transfer target for the Seagulls before his switch from Clyde to South East London, is a long-term injury victim along with ex-Leeds and Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris.