UNDER-FIRE Gillingham goalkeeper Vince Bartram has received a stay of execution and keeps his place in Saturday's side at Stoke.

Luckless Bartram, who has conceded eleven goals in three games since his recall, expected to be ousted at the Britannia Stadium by first choice Jason Brown. Instead, he makes a fourth consecutive appearance as Brown has not recovered from a collarbone injury.

Bartram, unfairly pilloried by Gills fans, remains unmoved by the torrents of abuse and today stressed confidence in his own ability.

He said: "I think Gillingham are fortunate to have two high quality goalkeepers.

"Jason and I are different types of goalkeepers in the way we do things and I am a bit taller and possibly wiser. But we're both capable of going out an doing a good job for the club."

Bartram's confidence will be boosted by Barry Ashby's return to a porous defence for the first time since the 3-3 draw against Wimbledon on March 11. The two have played together at Priestfield for many years and have established an understanding at the back.

Ashby trained this week and suffered no adverse reaction from the injury. Leon Johnson makes way.

Hopes that player-manager Andy Hessenthaler would have recovered from the hamstring strain that has kept him out for the last three games, were dashed when he broke down in light training.

Fellow midfielder Mark Saunders is also out for two weeks with a groin strain.

Nicky Southall is fit to resume in midfield alongside skipper Paul Smith and Simon Osborn but striker Mamady Sidibe is likely to start on the bench after returning from Africa and international duty with Mali.

Rod Wallace is fit to continue up front and is likely to be partnered by Tommy Johnson.

Stoke, managed by former Gills boss Tony Pulis, will be without key midfielder James O'Connor who is serving the first of a two-match suspension.

*A minutes' silence will be observed before Saturday's match in respect of 34-year-old Stephen Allbutt from nearby Sneyd who died last week in Iraq serving with the Queen's Royal Lancers.