TOP Scorer Marlon King is set for an immediate recall as Gillingham player-manager Andy Hessenthaler prepares to right the wrongs of Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Barnsley against Portsmouth at Priestfield on Boxing Day. The Gills boss, who spent Sunday viewing the match video of Saturday's horror show, is ready to shake up the side in an effort to bounce back and atone at the first time of asking.

King missed Saturday's match through a one-match suspension and Hessenthaler said: "I think there's every chance I will bring back Marlon while there are a number of other options open to me.

"Up until Saturday we were unbeaten in eight. Now it's important we start another unbeaten run and I'll be looking for six points from the Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion matches."

Centre-back Barry Ashby and fellow defender Mark Patterson could also return to the Boxing Day starting line-up. The Gills boss was scathing in his condemnation of Saturday's performance and admitted: "We didn't deserve anything out of the game and Barnsley were much the better side.

"They gave us a chance by putting through their own goal just before half time so we thought we had a chance in the second half. But we came out and defended poorly and gave away another sloppy goal. From that point we were never going to get back in the game. As much as we huffed and puffed, we just weren't good enough.

"It was a strange match because we've been eight games unbeaten and done very well. Then, all of a sudden, we go and concede four goals."