PLAYER-manager Andy Hessenthaler will miss Gillingham’s next two home games against Brighton on Saturday and Tuesday’s visit of Nottingham Forest through suspension.

Mark Saunders, who has recovered from a hamstring strain, will replace his boss in Saturday’s starting line-up against the Seagulls.

Centre-back Barry Ashby, who failed to appear for Tuesday’s second half owing to a calf strain, is doubtful for Brighton's visit. Should he fail a fitness test, Leon Johnson will replace him rather than Nyron Nosworthy switching to centre-back, as he did on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, it's been revealed that striker Marlon King will undergo surgery on Monday in Cambridge to repair damaged cruciate knee ligaments.

Kevin James also has an operation on the same day to repair cartilage damage.