MANAGER Andy Hessenthaler has pencilled in Robert Taylor for a first start up front at Barnsley on Saturday but is undecided on whether or not to recall Barry Ashby to the defence. On-loan Taylor replaces suspended top-scorer Marlon King in what will be an opportunity to impress before his three-month loan from Wolves ends early in January.

Since arriving from Molineux in October, the striker has been plagued with hamstring trouble but showed glimpses of his best for the reserves last week which thrust him into contention for last Saturday's match against Sheffield Wednesday. Hessenthaler withdrew him from Monday's reserve side against Crystal Palace and has now confirmed that he would start at Oakwell.

"Robert did well both for the reserves last week and when he came on against Sheffield Wednesday," said Hessenthaler. "He will play down the middle against Barnsley alongside Guy Ipoua and Paul Shaw."

The Gills boss dimissed any notion of tinkering with his hugely successful 4-3-3 formation which has launched the club on an eight-match unbeaten run. Hessenthaler added: "We're satisfied with the formation and will only change in an extreme emergency."

The dilemma over whether to recall Ashby at the expense of Guy Butters at the heart of the defence will probably be resolved on the morning of the match. Ashby, who has missed the last four games with a knee ligament strain and septic toe, was also withdrawn from Monday's reserve side.