OVERWHELMING backing for strike action is expected when the ballot among more than 3,000 professional footballers closes tomorrow. A huge mandate for unprecedented industrial action in pursuit of the Professional Footballers' Association customary five per cent of television revenue now seems certain to be tested in the High Court with the Premier League ready to impose a legal injunction against a blacking-out of televised matches. Armed with the backing of more than 90 per cent of members, including some of the biggest names in the Premiership, the PFA is in no mood to seek an amicable settlement until the official result of the ballot has been made public by the Electoral Reform Society.

Gillingham's next home game against Watford, due to be broadcast live on the ITV Sports Channel on Sunday, November 18, could be the first match to fall victim of the dispute which would also hit regular regional highlights on BBC and Meridian.

Meanwhile, former Gillingham crowd favourite Jim Corbett has moved to the continent in an attempt to get his playing career back on track.

The injury-plagued 21-year-old Blackburn winger has joined Belgian club Royal Antwerp on trial with a view to making the move permanent.

John Williams, Blackburn's chief executive, said: "I'm not sure anything will come of it but Royal Antwerp are looking for someone in his position and we said he could go there for a week."