STRIKER Rod Wallace looks set to get the nod ahead of Tommy Johnson as replacement for the suspended Guy Ipoua when Gillingham visit Ipswich on Saturday.

Wallace got off the mark with his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw at Rotherham two weeks ago.

Following Marlon King's early release from prison this week, competition among all the club’s strikers has suddenly intensified and Ipoua could live to regret his rush of blood at Rotherham that brought him a fifth caution for dissent and Saturday’s suspension.

Wallace, believing he was over the worst following persistent injury problems after his summer move from Bolton, was left devastated when he sustained a hamstring injury in training that kept him out of Saturday’s 3-0 win against Watford.

After Wallace declared himself fit this week, player-manager Andy Hessenthaler is likely to opt for his superior pace against that of Johnson, who has also suffered from injury problems.

Wallace said: "I need to get games under my belt to improve my levels of match fitness so I can show people what I can do." He is likely to partner Mamady Sidibe up front on Saturday - providing he suffers no recurrence.