Neil Illman's man of the match performance in Vics' 6-1 thrashing of Farnborough means the Vics boss will have to let one of his three on-form strikers down this weekend.

Illman has now scored four goals in two games, but on Saturday his scoring exploits owed as much to his impressive partnership with Ian Cooke as to his return to form.

And with Paul Tait having scored three goals in his last three games before suspension, Gardiner admits he has a problem.

"Neil did brilliantly against Farnborough and there's no one more pleased for him than me," he said. "He's a good player but he will be the first to admit he hasn't been playing well. We talked about it and he told me he couldn't put his finger on the problem, but last Saturday he was back to his best."

Gardiner added: "Now Neil has given me a headache for Saturday. I have three strikers ready to play and they're all in with a chance."

Ian Cooke didn't get on the scoresheet against Farnborough but his all round play was excellent and he proved an ideal foil for the mobile Illman. It may mean Paul Tait, who will be available again after suspension, having to start the game on the bench if Gardiner is to stick with a winning side. But Cooke's niggling knee injury, which is still in need of surgery, could put him to the bottom of the pecking order.

CARWYN Williams was recalled from Runcorn by Gardiner last week because the UniBond club had only given the striker one full game since his move.

Gardiner said: "I didn't agree to release Carwyn to them for him to sit on the bench. If that is the case, he may as well do it here."

FOR Saturday's crucial Trophy game Gardiner is likely to have a fully fit squad available to him.

But the controversial sending-off of Steve Walters against Doncaster last week means that, should Vics win on Saturday, the club captain will be suspended for the first leg of the semifinal.

Both Nathan Peel and Walters will serve three match bans after Gardiner revealed this week that an appeal would be futile.

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