Chadwick happy to play full role for Reading rather than fringe part in Champions' League

Few Things provide a greater stimulus to the imagination of a budding footballer than the thought of playing for Manchester United and yet for those who have seen fantasy become reality the dream can lose its allure over time.

Never is it more likely than in times like this, when success forms a powerful adhesive to bind established players together and chances for fresh-faced understudies become rare. A Worthington Cup appearance here, 20 minutes in the Premiership there might satisfy some, but for others only so much waiting in the shadows can be endured.

Luke Chadwick, the Manchester United winger, is a case in point. As David Beckham's understudy he could easily have been on the bench for today's FA Cup showdown with Arsenal and again when United resume Champions' League activity this coming week. Instead, he will be at Millwall's New Den today and, all being well, taking on Sheffield United away on Tuesday – and he cannot wait.

At 22, the Cambridge-born player is honoured to be considered good enough to be next in line to the England captain but realistic enough to realise he is not going to replace him in the foreseeable future.

Hence his decision to join the First Division promotion candidates Reading on loan with his sights on a long stay.

Chadwick has been inspired by the progress of his former England Under-21 team-mate Matthew Upson, whose career was revived by spending three months with Alan Pardew's side. Upson, after years of frustration as Arsenal's centre-half in waiting, subsequently joined Birmingham and earned a full England call-up.

"Matty had a great loan spell when he came from Arsenal and just a few weeks later he has made it into the England squad," Chadwick said after scoring on his Reading debut against Gillingham last Monday. "If I get the chance to extend my loan period here then I will be happy to do so.

"I would much rather play a whole game at Millwall than be on the bench at Juventus or Leverkusen. I've played for a few minutes in three Champions' League games this season but it's not the same as playing a whole game."

Reading, one of the division's least predicted challengers, could be third by Tuesday night. With Nottingham Forest idle today and Sheffield United in cup action, victory at Millwall today would put Reading fourth, ahead of Forest and level with United.

After last weekend's splendid 4-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton need only a point at Bradford to be off the bottom if Sheffield Wednesday lose at Derby.

In the Second Division, Dario Gradi's Crewe have a chance to claw back some of Wigan's nine-point lead when they take on Paul Jewell's front-runners at Gresty Road, but injury problems beset the Railwaymen. Stephen Foster is a month away from action, the young winger Ben Rix faces six weeks out and Dave Brammer, the captain, is rated only 50-50 with a groin strain. The striker Dean Ashton is fit to partner top-scorer Rob Hulse, who is reportedly a Wolves target.

York City, surprise Third Division promotion candidates, find themselves in a uniquely bizarre situation, preparing for a televised meeting with the leaders Hartlepool United on the day administrators had set as a takeover offer deadline. Yesterday a mystery investor agreed to fund the struggling Bootham Crescent outfit for another seven days.