Conservative Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has appealed to his own MPs not to "damage" his controversial plans to reorganise the Army.
Mr Hammond took the unusual step of writing to backbenchers last night urging them to vote down a rebel amendment on the Defence Reform Bill.
Some Tory MPs want the power to delay changes amid fears ministers are failing to recruit enough reservists to replace sacked soldiers.
In a separate move, Labour will also table an amendment to give reservists two weeks paid leave.
Mr Hammond told Tory MPs that they risked "serious damage" if they vote against Government plans to reorganise the Army.
Ministers are in the process of cutting 20,000 soldiers and doubling the number of reservists to 30,000.
The rebel amendment, tabled by Tory backbencher John Baron, has been signed by 25 other MPs - including 21 Tories.
It would allow MPs and peers to block the proposals.
Mr Hammond warned that the amendment would halt the process of recruiting reservists and send "completely the wrong signal to those thinking of joining the reserves".
Thomas Docherty, the Fife MP who tabled the Labour amendment, said paid leave could make it more attractive to become a member of the reserves. "The Defence Committee has heard from those who would want to join up that getting time off is one of the biggest challenges to recruitment," he said.
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