By Luke Cawdell

Adebayo Akinfenwa returns to Priestfield with Northampton this weekend and Andy Hessenthaler hopes he gets the reception he deserves.

The Gills boss still holds the striker in high regard despite quitting Priestfield after just one season to return to the club where he is regarded as a legend.

Akinfenwa (pictured) formed a lethal partnership last season with loan striker Cody McDonald and scored 11 goals in 46 apperances for the Gills.

Hessenthaler said: "I am sure he will get a good reception. Our fans are good when players come back and he deserves it. I am looking forward to seeing him."

He added: "We know Bayo and he knows how we play and how I manage. He will be giving Gary Johnson (Northampton manager) as much information as he can.

"We know what we have to do to keep him quiet and out of our box. If he gets in our box, he is dangerous."

Defender Matt Lawrence admits it will be futile to try and out-muscle Akinfenwa on Saturday.

Lawrence said: "I marked him a lot in training and know how I would deal with him. Fighting him is an impossibility. You combat it other ways. You need other players in place in other positions and you need to prevent the ball going into him easily."

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