ANDY HESSENTHALER'S assertion that his Gillingham players are never more deadly than when aroused by failure faces the severest scrutiny tonight at Bramall Lane.

If the team are to purge the memory of Saturday's 6-0 mauling by Wolves, their fabled powers of recovery will be put to the sword by FA Cup semi-finalists and play-off certainties Sheffield United.

It is in the time of greatest need that managers learn most about the character of their players and the Gills boss will expect nothing less than a positive response from whatever team he selects tonight.

Hessenthaler said: "Wounded animals fight back, and we'll fight back tonight and put on a better performance."

But if Gillingham are to maintain a record of never having lost at Bramall Lane in Division 1, they must do so without their inspirational player-manager and in-form Rod Wallace. Hessenthaler is still troubled by the hamstring strain.

The manager added: "Rod Wallace has no chance tonight because of shin problem. It's too early to say whether he'll be fit for Saturday."