ANDY HESSENTHALER is ready to change Gillingham’s formation and play with three centre-backs on the opening day of the new season at Sheffield United on August 9.

The Gillingham manager, who has never been afraid to gamble on tactical changes, looks set to scrap the team’s flat back four in favour of playing Chris Hope, Barry Ashby and newcomer Ian Cox together.

Speaking after Wednesday night’s 3-1 success in their opening pre-season friendly at Folkestone, Hessenthaler admitted: “The way I’m thinking is that we’ll start the start the season with three at the back and with Nyron and John Hills pushing on as wing-backs.

“It could be that I’ll set us up to play that way in our next friendly at St Albans on Saturday. We’ll see how things go.”

The news ends speculation as to who, among Hope, Ashby and Cox, would sit out the start of the season.

The prospect of all three playing together gives Gillingham a formidable presence in defence with the three immediately in front of Player of the Year Jason Brown.