GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler will hit the big 500 tonight. The 37-year-old midfield dynamo will make his 500th first team appearance against the only other league side he’s played for - Watford.

Hessenthaler joined the Hornets as a 26-year-old and made 217 appearances for them before being brought to Gillingham by Tony Pulis in August 1996 for a then club record £235,000.

He said: “Yes, it’s great and it would be even greater to go there and win. Ironically it’s worked out that, if selected, it will be against my old club.”

But Hess will have his mind firmly on the job in hand and hope Watford’s thoughts wander to their FA Cup semi-final clash with Southampton next month.

He said: “I’m hoping that they’ve got their minds elsewhere but they’re a good side. I know they play rugby on their pitch and had a big game at the weekend but I’m sure it’ll be prepared to be a lot better than our pitch.

“It’s a big pitch at Watford and we’re both teams that want to get the ball down and play."