GILLINGHAM'S long-awaited FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday at Priestfield on Saturday will almost certainly go ahead.

Match referee Paul Taylor passed the pitch fit for play shortly after lunchtime on Friday. Gillingham's players and supporters had been facing the prospect of a third consecutive match being called off in eight days.

Heavy rain falling on Priestfield's problem pitch had forced the postponement of the game against Wimbledon on December 28 and the New Year's Day visit of Norwich.

Should there be further heavy rain and the tie against Wednesday is postponed, it is likely to take place on either Tuesday, January 7, or Wednesday, January 8, because the FA would prefer to keep the provisional replay date of January 14 available in case the game ends in a draw.

Gillingham's Chris Hope, who has not missed a match since signing from Scunthorpe in July 2000, has spoken about the postponements the players have had to endure.

He stressed: "It's frustrating. People assume we would welcome the break. Nothing could be further from the truth because we want to play.

"We had an excellent December and we're keen to maintain and build on that form in the New Year."