GILLINGHAM old boys Carl Asaba and Ade Akinbiyi are being made to wait before learning whether they will be in Stoke’s side at Priestfield on Saturday.

Former Gills boss Tony Pulis is giving nothing away regarding selection, although both the club's former top scorers are itching to play.

Akinbiyi suffered a slight hamstring strain in Tuesday’s 1-0 home defeat by former club Crystal Palace but is expected to be fit.

Asaba came on as a substitute in the same game and immediately impressed. Pulis declined to say whether one or both will start on their return.

He said: “They are keen as mustard to face Gillingham. Both are desperate to be involved but I’ll make a decision once I’ve seen the state of the pitch because I’m told there has been a lot of rain in Kent.”

He added: “They’re looking forward to going back and so am I because I have so many friends down there, especially in the dressing room.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler added: “The match won’t be pretty. It will be a battle because if I know Tony he will want to come here and do well."

Tommy Johnson, who scored twice after coming on as a substitute for the injured Rod Wallace at Coventry, is certain to keep his place in attack.

The club have confirmed that the injury-plagued Wallace will be out for up to four weeks with knee ligament damage.