CHRIS HOPE insists Gillingham’s under-fire defence can withstand Burnley’s pressure and reap an FA Cup cash bonanza in Saturday’s fourth round tie at Turf Moor.

At stake will be £75,000 for the winners with the prospect of a further £150,000 on offer to whoever makes it through to the sixth round.

With Burnley needing to raise £750,000 by the end of next month to prevent the club being placed into administration and Gillingham not without financial problems of their own, Hope knows the heat is on.

Hope said: “A lot of fingers have been pointing the way of the defence recently but much of what is being said has been exaggerated. That said, there is always room for improvement and we’ve worked hard on the training ground this week."

Partnering Hope at the heart of Gillingham's defence will be Ian Cox, making a first return to Turf Moor since his summer move to Priestfield.

Behind the pair in goal will be Frenchman Bertrand Bossu. The hero of Gillingham’s FA Cup, giant-killing of Premiership Charlton in the third round, Bossu replaces on-loan Nico Vaesen whose club Birmingham do not want him cup-tied.

With newcomer Patrick Agyemang cup-tied after playing for former club Wimbledon, Darius Henderson will be left to forage alone up front in front of a five-strong midfield that could include Kevin James.

Should a replay be necessary, it will be at Priestfield on Tuesday, February 3. The draw for the fifth round will be broadcast live on BBC2, Sky Sports News and BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday at 1.30pm.