ANDY HESSENTHALER has called on his Gillingham players to dig deep and summon their reserves of energy in order to beat Coventry at the end of a stamina-sapping week on Saturday.

Three matches in seven days has taken its toll on a squad sorely depleted by injuries and suspensions while Tuesday’s extra-time drained the players in the Worthington Cup triumph at Stockport.

As he prepared to face a Coventry side buoyed by Wednesday’s 8-0 record drubbing of Rushden and Diamonds, the Gills boss stressed the need for his battle-weary players to win.

Twelfth-placed Gillingham last won in the league at Brighton on September 14 and Hessenthaler is anxious for maximum points to halt a slide into the lower half of the table after defeat at Nottingham Forest and successive draws against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

“They are all big games in Division 1 but Saturday’s match against Coventry is massive,” he said. “I hope our batteries have been re-charged in time because I don’t want to see the club slipping into the lower half of the table.

With Hessenthaler fit to return after recovering from a calf strain - probably at the expense of 21-year-old Danny Spiller - his selection options are improving.

Kevin James is free from both suspension and ’flu, and returns to contention. Rod Wallace is doubtful after his groin tightened at Stockport on Tuesday but top-scorer Shaw is fit having recovered from the dead-leg that forced him off at Stockport.

With Wallace a doubt, Tommy Johnson, Tuesday’s spectacular match-winner, could start alongside Guy Ipoua up front.