GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler will hope that Southampton become the latest top-flight team to be buried at the Priestfield Premiership graveyard tonight. Gills are refreshed after their training break to La Manga and will be looking to cause a Worthington Cup upset.

Hessenthaler said: "We do well at home and we hope it will be a benefit, but they are a Premiership side and they had a fantastic result at Middlesbrough in their last match. All we can do is compete, hopefully get the crowd behind us, and we may pull off a bit of a shock."

Hessenthaler will have a slight problem in defence with Barry Ashby suspended and Adrian Pennock likely to miss the game.

Pennock has missed Gillingham's last four matches with a hamstring problem, and although he should be available, Hessenthaler admits he is unlikely to feature.

The manager said: "Adrian has a slight problem but he is back in training. I would very much doubt that he will be risked as the league is more important." Pennock's absence would leave the door open for Guy Butters who could make his first start of the season.

Ty Gooden is the other major concern as he is still struggling with the groin strain he sustained against Coventry and will probably miss out.

Gills fans are likely to have to wait until Saturday for their first sight of loan-signing Robert Taylor in action. The manager said: "It was his first day of training on Monday so we're not sure. He's been out for a while with a calf strain so he is more likely to make his debut against Norwich.

"If we can get him back to how he was playing when he was here before, we know what he can do. He loves it here so much and he has the knack of scoring goals."