Phil Brown has confirmed that neither Stelios Giannakopoulos nor Anthony Gardner will take part in Saturday's trip to Arsenal.

Having not played any competitive football so far this season, Brown has cited a lack of match fitness as the reason for leaving Stelios out while Gardner requires further rest as he overcomes a thigh problem.

"Stelios is not in my plans yet," said Brown.

"That is purely down to fitness. He is a player that brings tremendous experience to the football club.

"He didn't have a club to go to and that meant his international aspirations were on hold.

"He needed to sign for a club if he was going to play in the next World Cup and that shows he is a hungry player as far as I am concerned.

"Anthony Gardner will rest (at the weekend). His thigh problem is definitely getting better as we speak. I was probably guilty of pressuring the physio into getting him back too early."

Meanwhile, the Club has confirmed that Stelios will wear squad number 33.