Ross Flitney is back from injury and Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler hopes a battle for the number one jersey could help spur both of his goalkeepers on.

Flitney (pictured) has been missing since the end of January and in that time Argentine keeper Paulo Gazzaniga has made the position his own.

Hessenthaler will keep faith with Gazzaniga and it could mean a place in the stands for the man who started the season as first choice keeper.

“We might get him involved on the bench and we will wait and see,” said Hessenthaler.

“I have gone with five outfield players on the bench and it’s what a lot of managers are doing. Sometimes you have to leave the goalkeeper off the bench because you need that extra option of an outfield player.

“The big man (Gazzaniga) is doing really well and that’s what we want; we want competition for places. Paulo will see that Roscoe is on his way back and that might spur him on to good things in the next three games and likewise for Ross. He has a challenge to try and get that shirt back.”

Gazzaniga has earned rave reviews since emerging from Flitney’s shadow and there has been plenty of speculation about his future.

The former Valencia junior has another season left on his Gills deal after this one but Hessenthaler knows money talks.

“We don’t want to lose him but everyone has their price don’t they?” he said.

“A club like us won’t stand in a player’s way and we have already shown that if they have an opportunity to go and better themselves somewhere else. We are just happy we have got him here this year and next and we will see what happens.”