IFFY ONUORA has boosted Gillingham ahead of their hectic Easter schedule by making himself available for the matches against Walsall and Crewe.

The big striker, whom player-manager Andy Hessenthaler regards as an essential component in the attack, missed Sunday's match against Millwall on compassionate grounds so that he could fly to his mother's native Nigeria and scatter her ashes. He returns on Thursday and hopes to train on Friday with a view to returning to the squad at Walsall.

"Iffy's confident he'll be back in time to travel to Walsall and we're looking forward to having him available," said Hessenthaler.

Meanwhile, long-term injury casualty Adrian Pennock has taken a significant step down the comeback road by completing 90 minutes for the reserves in their 1-0 home defeat by Swindon. WedbnIt was the first time he had completed a match since sustaining ruptured cruciate ligaments in his left knee at Birmingham on October 23.

"I'm just so pleased to get 90 minutes under my belt," he said. "Psychologically it was very important to play the 90 after you've been out a long time and I enjoyed myself. The knee is a bit stiff but it's something I've got to live with."

But Pennock will be rested for Wednesday's reserve game at Cheltenham on the advice of club physiotherapist Ken Steggles.