GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler is facing a defensive injury crisis ahead of the visit of Sunderland tomorrow.

The knee injury Barry Ashby picked up against Burnley has flared up again and John Hills is suffering from a thigh problem sustained in training this week.

If both fail late fitness tests, then Gills’ back four - already missing Nayron Nosworthy and Nicky Southall though groin injuries - will have a makeshift look against the Black Cats.

Ian Cox will continue to fill in at right-back, while Leon Johnson and Richard Rose are on standby to play at centre-half and left-back.

But despite the injury problems, Hessenthaler is upbeat about his team’s chances against a Sunderland side who have just one win from their opening six games.

He said: “Apart from the doubts about Ashby and Hills, we feel fresh after the international break. In one sense, it would have been nice to have another game soon after our win at Burnley because we were buzzing.

“I’m happy we’ve had a chance to recharge our batteries, though. The boys are all fresh and the break has done us good, but we won’t find out for sure until after Saturday’s game.”

Sunderland will not be quite as fresh, having had several players involved in international games on Saturday and Wednesday. Mick McCarthy’s team will have fond memories of Priestfield, though, having won 3-1 there last November.

But Hessenthaler doesn’t believe either factor will have any bearing on the result.

“I know a few of Sunderland players were involved in internationals. Jeff Whitley was playing as part of a nine-man Northern Ireland team, which will have been hard work and John Oster played for Wales.

“Some people might think that gives us the edge but I don’t necessarily see it like that. They are young footballers and a game on Wednesday followed by one on Saturday shouldn’t be a big problem.

“We owe the home fans a performance after the QPR game and we have to make sure that we play at a high tempo, make it a battle and see if they fancy it. We got nine points last month and if we can pick up another nine in September, we’ll be well on our way.”

Hessenthaler spoke to KM-fm's James Phillis about the match and his potential team selection...