ANDY HESSENTHALER will forgive, forget, and hand Guy Ipoua a place in Gillingham’s starting line-up for Saturday's home game against Leicester.

The Gills boss rebuked Ipoua after his petulant response to being substituted in the weekend 1-1 draw at Derby where he threw his gloves at the bench.

Having dealt with the matter internally, Hessenthaler has put it behind him and will pair the Cameroon striker alongside Mamady Sidibe against Micky Adams’ promotion favourites in an otherwise unchanged side.

One of Ipoua's team-mates said: “What happened on Saturday was over in a flash and Guy was fine afterwards in the dressing room. There was absolutely no problem with him.”

Hessenthaler's hopes that Rod Wallace would have recovered from persistent hamstring problems in time for Saturday were dashed yesterday when the former Leeds, Glasgow Rangers and Bolton striker pulled out of playing in the reserve game against Brighton.

Wallace’s partnership with Marlon King had coincided with the club putting together a seven-match unbeaten run. Hessenthaler had been confident Wallace would be available to face Leicester.

With King, Wallace and Tommy Johnson ruled out through injuries, the Gills boss has moved swiftly from one extreme to the other.

Having had a wealth of riches at his disposal up front, his selection options have been whittled down to two.

Meanwhile, fears are growing that King’s injury may be worse than was first thought and that he could be out for six to seven weeks.

In addition to tearing a cartilage in his left knee, he has damaged cruciate and medial ligaments while there has been some bone bruising.

The club are anxious for their top-scorer to undergo surgery as soon as possible. At best he will be out for five weeks.

The club received better news on the injury front this week with midfielder Simon Osborn looking to make a return to the side at the end of next month after snapping an Achilles in August.

He has been at the Football Association's treatment of injury centre at Lilleshall this week, confident he will play again this season.

Injury-plagued left-back Roland Edge completed 90 minutes for the reserves against Brighton but is still having problems with a knee injury. Kevin James, who has been troubled by a groin strain, also played.

Danny Spiller scored Gillingham's goal in a 4-1 defeat against a strong Brighton side that included ex-Gill Guy Butters.

Gillingham are considering taking the squad away to La Manga after Saturday's match to prepare for the FA Cup, fourth round tie against Leeds.

Gillingham are giving a trial to 27-year-old former Valencia defender Luis Lopez following his release from Real Gijon.