GILLINGHAM player-manager Andy Hessenthaler is ready to freshen up his squad with new signings. Still smarting from Saturday's 4-0 defeat by Bradford City - the club's worst at home for 22 years - Hessenthaler admitted that he needs new faces to shake-up his squad.

"Maybe some of the players are too comfortable," he said. "So I would like new faces from outside to freshen things up. Ideally I would like to see something happen in the next couple of weeks."

Hessenthaler's plea came a week after chairman Paul Scally disclosed that every penny of the £475,000 generated from the club's FA Cup, fifth round against Arsenal would go to the bank.

But with next month's transfer deadline looming, there is now no doubt that Hessenthaler would welcome the opportunity and the funds to bring in a couple of new faces even though the club's Division 1 survival is virtually assured.

In the meantime, he could start tonight at Rotherham as the team attempt to bounce back at the first time of asking after Saturday's humiliation and secure the three points which will give them 50 and absolute safety.

With both Simon Osborn (Achilles) and Ty Gooden (groin) ruled out tonight, one enforced change will be made. The last time Hessenthaler started a league match was at Manchester City on November 3. "I'll speak to Richard Hill and Wayne Jones before I make a decision," he said.

Under pressure for his place tonight is top scorer Marlon King who angered his manager and supporters by ignoring the outstretched hand of replacement Guy Ipoua after being substituted on Saturday.

The club have been solid in their support for the young striker during his well publicised off-field problems and a furious Hessenthaler could drop him to the bench tonight with Ipoua starting alongside Iffy Onuora. Transfer-listed Mark Saunders could also return to tonight's starting line-up after replacing Osborn on Saturday.