FORMER Burnley favourite Ian Cox will again miss out on a Turf Moor return.

The Gillingham defender is still struggling for fitness and may even need surgery to cure him of ankle problems.

Cox has not featured for the Gills since last month's defeat at Derby, when he was also controversially sent off.

Gillingham also have further selection problems in defence, with regular full backs John Hills and Nyron Nosworthy both out of the game through suspension and a groin strain respectively.

Striker Tommy Johnson is also suspended, while striker Mamady Sidibe is causing a rumpus at the Priestfield Stadium after being allowed to link up with Mali for the African Nations Cup.

The former Swansea hitman has yet to feature in the competition, leaving the Gills thankful that Patrick Agyemang, recently signed from Wimbledon, is fit to partner Darius Henderson in attack at Turf Moor.

Agyemang opened his account last week, scoring the only goal of the game on his home debut against Bradford.

He said: "The atmosphere was something new for me as I've been at Wimbledon and we didn't really get that there!

"The lads here are great, the manager is great and I've already settled in - I'm loving it already."