GILLINGHAM'S player-manager Andy Hessenthaler has pledged to do all he can to keep Guy Butters at Priestfield. Butters, who asked for a move last month, has retained his place in the defence and is likely to keep out fit-again Barry Ashby at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Hessenthaler stressed: "I want Guy to stay and in the next week or so I want him to sit down with the chairman and talk about a new contract. It's important that he stays."

Also waiting to sort out his future is midfielder Mark Saunders who made a successful return to the side on his recall against Forest. The contracts of Marcus Browning and Iffy Onuora are also up at the season's end.

GILLINGHAM'S New Year's Day game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park will kick off at 3pm and not noon as previously reported elsewhere.