Millwall’s Aiden O’Brien is proof that the Championship is a squad game says Alex Pearce.

O’Brien has been on the fringes of the Lions first XI this season with just five league starts to his name.

Friday night at The Den the 26-year-old was sent on against Nottingham Forest by Gary Rowett in search of a winner with ten minutes to go.

He did get a goal but it wasn’t the winner, it was a dramatic injury time equaliser after Lewis Grabban scored in the 87th minute.

Pearce, himself admittedly a player who has spent too much time warming the bench as 48 appearances in four years at Derby County would attest, praised his teammate for the attitude he’s shown and how he serves as an example to others in the squad that may feel downbeat with the lack of game time.

“I’m so pleased for Aiden, he’s been training really well of late and that’s he deserves that,” Pearce said.

“It’s a squad game, I know that as I’ve been there myself.

“You have to train well, we’ve got a small squad and everyone will be needed.

“He’s proved that.

“Players not in the team at the moment shouldn’t be too disheartened because very quickly they could be on the field effecting the game and our season.

“Aiden comes on, gets his goal, fantastic, and he’s deserved that from the way he’s trained.”

READ:Millwall 2 Nottingham Forest 2 - Rowett conceded defeat before O'Brien's late strike