GILLINGHAM midfielder Mark Saunders entered hospital today to undergo surgery for an ankle injury that will keep him out of the side for five to six weeks.

His clubmate, striker Darius Henderson, will have an operation on Monday for a groin problem. But Henderson is almost certain to be in the Gills side taking on his former club Reading at Priestfield on Saturday.

John Hills and Tommy Johnson are available for the match after missing the 1-0 defeat at Burnley through suspensions, while striker Rod Wallace remains injury-free.

Mamady Sidibe is also available for the first time since last month having been on international duty with Mali in the African Cup of Nations. But he may have to wait for a recall to the starting line-up.

He played for an hour at Peterborough on Wednesday but looked out of sorts and will probably be on the bench with Henderson continuing to partner Patrick Agyemang up front.

Reading will be without ex-Gill Nicky Forster, who has always received a hostile reception from fans on his returns to Priestfield, after quitting the club to sign for Brentford in June 1994. He is out for two months with stomach muscle problems.