MARK PATTERSON looks to have beaten Nyron Nosworthy in the race to win the right-back spot in Gillingham's team to face Arsenal in Saturday's FA Cup, fifth round, tie at Highbury.

Though player-manager Andy Hessenthaler was giving nothing away regarding selection on his return last night from the team's preparation in Bournemouth, Nosworthy's scheduled inclusion for the reserves to face Wycombe at Priestfield today strongly suggests that Patterson will get the nod at Highbury.

Whoever plays at right-back faces the daunting task of attempting to subdue Arsenal's France World Cup star Robert Pires and the feeling within the camp is that Patterson, with his superior experience, is the better bet. Transfer-listed Patterson ousted Nosworthy as first choice for the match at Coventry on February 2 and has since held on to the position.

All Hessenthaler would say on selection was: "Everybody is fit and and the competition for places is fierce. I shall announce the team on Friday when we get to our overnight hotel in St Albans."