GILLINGHAM enter the crucial Christmas and New Year stage of their campaign without principal strikers Tommy Johnson and Mamady Sidibe.

Player-manager Andy Hessenthaler's selection options as he approaches four matches in 12 days have been hit by the loss of Johnson who has followed Sidibe into the treatment room.

With Sidibe nursing a hamstring strain that will keep him out for up to a month, the Gills boss learned this week that Johnson will out for five weeks after breaking a metatarsal following a collision with Sidibe during the 1-1 draw with Stoke on November 30.

"It's a big disappointment for Tommy because he's worked so hard in training," said Gillingham physio George Johnson. "Now we're looking at four to five weeks of rehab before he'll be back playing."

Since his summer move from Kilmarnock, Johnson, 32 next month, has been plagued with persistent injury problems which have curtailed his Gillingham appearances to five starts.

Johnson believed the worst was behind him until the scan revealed the break in a small toe.

Facing four matches in 12 days, starting with Burnley's visit on Saturday, Hessenthaler will be banking on Marlon King and Rod Wallace staying injury-free.

After Saturday's match, Gillingham visit Millwall on Boxing Day, entertain Wimbledon on December 28 and Norwich on New Year's Day.