PAUL Peschisolido says there is no gamble for Burton Albion in adding Chris Riggott to the Burton Albion playing squad.

And the Brewers manager is both surprised and delighted to see Riggott attempt to revive his injury-hit career at the Pirelli Stadium.

In the week that another former Derby County centre-half, Darren Moore, left the club, Riggott has signed until the end of the season in a deal which is understood to be based on appearances.

"This has come very much out of the blue for us," said Peschisolido.

"Chris asked if he could come and train with us and we were happy to help him out.

"He had one or two options elsewhere and we weren't sure that we would be able to come up with a deal he would go for.

"But Chris made it clear that he fancied staying, because he was enjoying it, and we've managed to put together a deal that suits both parties."

The concern – as Derby County found before releasing Riggott from a one-year deal in December – is that his near-constant injury problems have restricted him to very little football in the last five years.

Signed by Middlesbrough from Derby in 2003, he made 148 appearances for them over seven years.

He played nine times on loan for Stoke City in March and April 2008 but only twice for Cardiff City after signing for them in 2010, the last one on New Year's Day 2011.

However, there seems little doubt that a fit Riggott has the potential to be a terrific asset for a club in League Two.

"Oh my goodness, yes," said Peschisolido.

"He's only 31 still and, if he's fit and healthy, he's a great addition.

"He's played at a much higher level through his entire career. He's got a lot of quality.

"He's a dominant centre-half. If the ball's put in the box, nine times out of 10 you'd expect him to head it away."

The manager nonetheless feels it may be too soon to throw Riggott straight into the team if tomorrow's scheduled League Two game at home to Gillingham goes ahead.

Whether or not it does will be dependent on the severity of the weather today – Peschisolido says the pitch was playable yesterday afternoon.

"I spent the afternoon shovelling snow off the covers with the rest of the staff," he said.

"It's been covered and it seems OK. We'd really like to get the game on."

The game would be between two sides in a similar situation – both trying to rediscover the form which saw them into the play-off places a few weeks ago.

Gillingham climbed to sixth when they won 2-1 away at leaders Crawley Town just before Christmas but they have lost four out of five League matches since then, including the last three.

They have also conceded four goals in each of their last two matches, going down 4-3 to both Wimbledon and Accrington Stanley.

"They're going to want to stop the rot, so they might come here and park the bus," said Peschisolido.

"But, as always, they'll be a hard-working side who'll close us down and they'll be hard to break down.

"And we've struggled against them – we've not beaten them yet and we certainly want to put that right."

Peschisolido has no new injury concerns for the game, with Aaron Webster still sidelined by a torn hamstring.

Billy Kee and Tony James are both likely to be fit to rejoin the squad.