STRIKER Tommy Johnson makes his long-awaited Gillingham debut at Gravesend on Saturday as player-manager Andy Hessenthaler seeks to make up for wasted time caused by the abandonment of Wednesday's friendly at Luton.

With just two matches remaining between now and the start of the new season on August 10, the Gills boss is anxious to extract every last percentage from Saturday’s match and Monday’s away to Sussex County League Burgess Hill.

Johnson, the former Derby, Aston Villa and Celtic striker, was to have played at Luton. Instead he was left kicking his heels on the bench as the lights went out.

Hessenthaler had wanted to pair him for the first time with attacking partner Rod Wallace at Kenilworth Road.

Now the two are expected to come together for the first time on Saturday at Stonebridge Road.

“We suffered a big setback in our preparations because of what happened at Luton so the Gravesend match assumes even greater importance,” said Hessenthaler.

“I need to further assess a number of triallists because I want everything settled by the middle of next week. That's why I'll be asking certain players to play for longer than I anticipated at Gravesend.

“I'm also considering sending a full-strengh squad to Burgess Hill on Monday.

“The clock is ticking down for the new season and at the moment it's ticking a little too quickly for us.”

Former Southend centre-back Leon Johnson, who has impressed in trial games, will be tried in the left-back role at Gravesend.

With fellow centre-back Guy Butters being linked with a move to Brighton, Johnson could be handed a Gillingham contract if he continues making an impact.

“I had planned to play Leon at left-back in the second half at Luton," Hessenthaler explained. “Now we'll see how he performs there at Gravesend.”

Paul Shaw, who picked up a knee injury at Luton, may miss the Gravesend game but Simon Osborn is expected to recover in time from the ankle injury that kept him out of Wednesday's squad.

Hessenthaler will name all the players that went to Luton, providing there are no further injuries.

Before the match Gravesend-born Hessenthaler will present the Fleet players with their championship medals after winning the Ryman League, Premier Division title last season and gaining promotion to the Nationwide Conference.

All children under-12, providing they are accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free on Saturday.

makes his long-awaited Gillingham debut at Gravesend & Northfleet on Saturday as player-manager Andy Hessenthaler seeks to make up for wasted time caused by the abandonment of Wednesday's friendly at Luton.

With just two matches remaining between now and the start of the new season on August 10, the Gills boss is anxious to extract every last percentage from Saturday’s match and Monday’s away to Sussex County League Burgess Hill.

Johnson, the former Derby, Aston Villa and Celtic striker, was to have played at Luton. Instead he was left kicking his heels on the bench as the lights went out. Hessenthaler had wanted to pair him for the first time with attacking partner Rod Wallace at Kenilworth Road.

Now the two are expected to come together for the first time on Saturday at Stonebridge Road.

“We suffered a big setback in our preparations because of what happened at Luton so the Gravesend match assumes even greater importance,” said Hessenthaler.

Paul Shaw, who picked up a knee injury at Luton, may miss the Gravesend game but Simon Osborn is expected to recover in time from the ankle injury that kept him out of Wednesday's squad.

All children under-12, providing they are accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free on Saturday.