ANDY Hessenthaler's selection problems have increased with Tottenham recalling on-loan goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld.

With a total of at least 12 senior professionals unavailable - including himself - Gillingham’s player-manager had the fresh headache of needing to sign a third goalkeeper on loan in time for Saturday’s match at Preston.

Hirschfeld, a Canadian international, was back at White Hart Lane today following an injury to second choice Robert Burch.

He made his Gillingham debut at Crystal Palace on February 28 and was due to remain at Priestfield until after the West Ham match at Upton Park on March 27.

Hirschfeld was the fifth goalkeeper used by the club in first team matches this season following Jason Brown, Vince Brown, Bertrand Bossu and Birmingham’s Nico Vaessen.

Club goalkeepers Brown and Bossu are among the club’s growing number of casualties which has also claimed youth team goalkeeper Danny Knowles, who recently returned from a spell on loan with Dr Martens League club Hastings.

The loss of Hirschfeld has left the Gills boss asking what remains of his injury-hit squad to dig deeper than ever into their reserves of stamina at Deepdale on Saturday.