GILLINGHAM skipper Paul Smith has warned his team-mates to expect a Crystal Palace side fired up for revenge when the two clubs clash on New Year's Day at Selhurst Park (Kick-off 3pm).

The Kent club's revival gathered massive momentum on the back of a resounding 3-0 win over Palace at Priestfield on November 21 when all the old self-belief flooded back into the players during a memorable 30 minute spell when they scored three times.

While many Gillingham supporters rate the performance as probably the team's finest of the season, Palace fans consider it their team's worst and regard Tuesday's return as a chance to atone.

Smith, Gillingham's last minute match-winning hero in Saturday's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, is under no illusions over the size of the task facing the team as they bid to kick off the New Year on a winning note.

"I know they've had a change of manager since we played them at Priestfield but they'll be out for revenge," said Smith. "Palace had an excellent win at Bradford City on Saturday and they'll be wanting to build on that just like we did after we lost at Barnsley. It will be tough but we're really looking forward to it because there's bound to be a cracking atmosphere."

Manager Andy Hessenthaler is likely to name an unchanged side but could start with Mark Patterson in defence after he replaced David Perpetuini against West Brom. The match could be striker Robert Taylor's last unless his club Wolves take the unusual step of extending his three-month loan so that he can face them in Saturday's FA Cup, third round, tie against them at Molineux.

"We've got to sit down with the chairman and decide in the next week or so what we're going to do," said Hessenthaler. "I felt sorry for Robert against West Brom because I wanted him to score after all the hard work he put in."