FORMER manager Tony Pulis will keep Gillingham guessing over whether Ade Akinbiyi will start against his old club for Stoke on Saturday.

Priestfield’s former top goalscorer and crowd favourite joined Stoke on loan for the rest of the season from Crystal Palace on Thursday’s transfer deadline, along with Paul Warhurst from Bolton.

But while Warhurst is likely to start against Gillingham, striker Akinbiyi could be left on the bench. The player, who cost Leicester £5 million when he moved from Wolves in the 2000-01 season, has endured a wretched time since with ridicule in the national press followed by persistent injury problems after moving to Palace.

Pulis, who coaxed the best from Akinbiyi during his time at Priestfield, knows the player better than most and he admitted: “He’s trained with us for four days and in that short time I’ve noticed his confidence has been shot to pieces.

“He’s certainly not as fiery as he was, which was a big part of his game. As to Saturday’s match, I really don't know whether it’s a good or bad thing that he’s facing the club where he made his name.

“If you're asking me whether or not he will start against Gillingham, the answer is that I really don't know.

“Though we’re tight at the back, goalscoring is our problem so I’d love to see Ade firing on all cylinders.

"He’s raring to play against Gillingham because he knows so many players but we’ll have to wait and see how he goes in training for the rest of the week.”

Pulis confirmed that the experienced Warhurst will play either in midfield or central defence.

Gillingham coach Wayne Jones has said the club will resist the clamour from supporters to give youth a fling against Stoke.

He said: “Although we’re not answerable to struggling clubs, if we played Stoke on Saturday and put three or four youngsters in, clubs like Brighton or Grimsby might ask what's going on here?

“Maybe in the games against Bradford, Coventry, Burnley or Walsall -- if they haven't got anything on it -- the gaffer might put one or two youngsters in to give them the experience.”

Former Gillingham striker Jim Corbett could be joining Darlington in permanent deal after moving from Blackburn to Feethams on loan last month.

Manager Mick Tait said today that he was keen to retain Corbett who scored his first goal for the club in Saturday's 3-1 win over Bury.