ANDY HESSENTHALER has demanded greater passion and desire from his players ahead of Saturday's opening home game against troubled Derby.

Still smarting from Tuesday's insipid first half at Cambridge, where the Division 3 club threatened to tip Gillingham out of the Carling Cup, the Gills boss confessed his demand was unusual, bearing in mind the team's reputation for full-blooded commitment.

He stressed: “You don't normally associate Gillingham with a lack or passion and desire. But we greatly lacked both in that dreadful first half at Cambridge.

“We were fortunate to win at Cambridge so we cannot afford to start like that against Derby. I'll be wanting a high tempo start coupled with a lot of belief on Saturday.

“It's our first home game of the new season and I'll be wanting us to make a favourable impression for our supporters. So we can't afford any repeats of Tuesday.”

Gillingham's late improvement at Cambridge coincided with the 63rd minute arrival of Hessenthaler and David Perpetuini whose combined presence enlivened a lacklustre performance.

So Hessenthaler's absence with a hamstring strain on Saturday, coupled with the continued absence of injured skipper Paul Smith, robs the side of a driving force.

With Mark Saunders rated no better than 50-50 after sustaining a shin injury at Cambridge and John Hills, Tuesday's most dynamic player, doubtful with a wrist injury which threatens his home debut, the manager's selection options have been further restricted.

He added: “I've got no chance on Saturday after picking up this hamstring injury. It's a big disappointment because I'd just got my fitness levels up and now I'm back to square one. I've got to get it sorted and will be seeking medical advice.”

With Smith ruled out for a month, Gillingham's shortage of midfield players is fast becoming acute, though Hessenthaler is confident that the club's younger players can come in and do a job.

The manager's mood improved with the news that striker Marlon King is close to full fitness and could be in next Saturday's squad at Bradford City.

“Providing there are no problems, I would expect Marlon to play for the reserves in midweek and then put him in the squad at Bradford,” said Hessenthaler.

“He can't wait to get back and we can't wait to have him back because he's going to terrorise defences and I'm backing him to score 20 goals at least.

“If he had played at Sheffield United on Saturday, we would have won.”

The Gills boss is giving nothing away regarding Saturday's formation except to say that it will be ‘horses for courses’ after switching from three at the back to a flat back four in the first half at Cambridge.

Once mighty Derby have made a miserable start to the new campaign, losing 3-0 at home to Stoke on the opening day before making their Carling Cup exit at Division 3 Huddersfield on Tuesday.

Gillingham beat the Rams 1-0 in last season's corresponding fixture.

The club will know their Carling Cup, second round opponents on Saturday at 5.30 when the draw is broadcast on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday. All first round winners will be joined in the hat by the 12 Premier League clubs not competing in Europe this season.