We look ahead to Tuesday night's Sky Bet League One fixture between Gills and Coventry at Priestfield
GILLINGHAM V COVENTRY CITYSky Bet League One
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Tuesday March 11
Kick-Off, 7.45pm
Team News:
Amine Linganzi and Connor Smith are both available for selection for the visit of Coventry City having been rested at the weekend.
The pair were away on international duty last week with Congo and the Republic of Ireland U21 squads respectively, but the Manager confirmed they are ready if required.
Ryan Inniss and Michael Harriman are both out with hamstring injuries, while Danny Kedwell (knee) and Chris Whelpdale (ankle) remain side-lined.
Adam Birchall could retain his place in the 18 having come on as a substitute in the final minutes against Crawley.
As for Coventry they could welcome back skipper Carl Baker – the midfielder has been suffering with a calf problem but is expected to be part of the travelling party.
Moussa and on loan Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso will be pushing for starting places after coming on as substitutes during the 2-1 defeat to Colchester on Saturday.
Manager Comments:
Peter Taylor conceded on Saturday that the performance of his players may not have met the standards he was after, but is very much hoping for a repeat result when Steven Pressley’s Coventry City visit MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
He said: “We are a little bit unlucky that Wilson is now fit and playing well because they missed him and miss Clarke. They have signed Akpom from Arsenal and I know Franck Moussa as I had him on loan at Wycombe so they have some good players.
“I did say if we could get four points from the next two home games that would be good so if we get a point or three on Tuesday I will be delighted.”
Steven Pressley added: “I have to challenge my defenders to prove to us that they can stand up to the game because we’re conceding soft goals through lapses of concentration and mistakes.
“Within every game at the moment, we give away around two or three big chances and that’s not good enough.
“We've got to deal with it because this is bread and butter football.”
Coventry
The Gaffer – Steven Pressley
Pressley, a former Coventry player, was announced as Manager of the club in March last year following Mark Robins’ decision to join Huddersfield Town.
The former Scottish International guided the team to 15th in Sky Bet League One, and has done well to propel the Sky Blues in to the top half of the table this season, especially considering Coventry were deducted 10 points for entering administration at the start of the campaign.
As a player Pressley spent the majority of his career in Scotland, winning a Scottish Cup Winners’ medal on three occasions with Rangers, Hearts and Celtic.
His final playing spell was at Falkirk before he hung up his boots in 2009 to take charge as Manager.
One to Watch – Callum Wilson
Wilson signed his first professional deal with the Sky Blues prior to the start of last season.
The 22-year-old is a product of the club's academy setup; he made his league debut in the home defeat to Queens Park Rangers in December 2010 and has progressively ensured his name is one of the first on the team sheet.
He has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, two more than winger Franck Moussa.
The Skipper – Carl Baker
Baker arrived at the Ricoh Arena in the January 2010 transfer window on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee from League One outfit Stockport County.
The pacy winger made a name for himself with the Hatters after a superb first half of the 09/10 campaign at Edgeley Park where he netted 13 goals in 24 appearances.
The 31-year-old has played in over 170 games for the club and has eight goals to his name in all competitions so far this season.
Current Form:
Gills: LWLLLW (6 points)
Coventry: LLLDWL (4 points)
Previous Meetings:
The sides last met earlier this season at Sixfields when goals from Leon Clark and Frank Moussa gave the hosts all three points in a 2-1 win.
Cody McDonald, a former Sky Blues player, equalised with an instinctive finish midway through the first half, but Moussa secured the win in the closing stages with a precise finish.
In total the clubs have met on 46 occasions – of those Coventry have won 23, Gills have won 13, and the remaining 10 games have ended in a draw.
Betting:
With Charlie Lee having scored twice in two games, having come on as sub, Sky Bet are offering odds of 105/1 for the midfielder to score first in a 2-1 victory.
Cody McDonald hasn’t found the net in his last four outings, and the odds on him to score first in 1-0 win are 40/1.
Officials:
Referee - DARREN SHELDRAKE
Assistants - Stephen Daly and Neil Davies
Fourth Official - Stephen Rubery