GILLINGHAM player-manager Andy Hessenthaler names an unchanged side for tonight's home game against Burnley with a warning to his strikers. The days when top scorer Marlon King's name was the first on the team sheet have become a thing of the past with the emergence of in-form Guy Ipoua and Iffy Onuora as a potent force while on-loan Robert Taylor lurks in the wings.

"Suddenly we have so many options up front it's difficult to pick a front two at the moment," said Hessenthaler. "Quite honestly, when it comes to selecting the strikers it's a case of who's scoring goals at the moment.

In other words, you're only as good as your last goal. I have to say it's nice to have these options."

Onuora, whose return from injury on Saturday coincided with an improved performance up front as Gillingham ended a run of five games without a win, considers Burnley to be far more formidable opponents that Walsall.

"I think all the lads know that Burnley will ask a few more questions of us than Walsall did," he said. "I know Stan Ternent, their manager, well and I know he'll get them organised and fired up. I'm sure tonight's match has all the ingredients to be a decent spectacle."

Though centre-back Barry Ashby is available after suspension, Hessenthaler has no intention of tinkering with a defence that kept a first clean sheet since the 3-0 win over Barnsley on August 25. J-Lloyd Samuel's commanding presence galvanised the back division and Hessenthaler is hoping for plenty more of the same during his eight-match stay on loan from Aston Villa.

While the Gills boss was full of praise for the 20-year-old on his debut, he also believes that Simon Osborn can make a substantial contribution to the team's well-being. The midfielder, who has twice moved for £1 million fees to Queens Park Rangers and Wolves, made his full debut at Birmingham and impressed sufficiently to retain his place against Walsall.

Defender Adrian Pennock, who sustained suspected ruptured cruciate ligaments at Birmingham last week, is expected to undergo surgery today.