We look ahead to Tuesday night's league fixture at stadium:mk
MK DONS V GILLINGHAMSky Bet League One
Stadium:mk
Tuesday March 25
Kick-Off, 7.45pm
Team News:
Joe Pigott has been recalled by parent club Charlton Athletic and so is unavailable for the trip to Milton Keynes.
As a result, Bayo Akinfenwa and Cody McDonald could continue their partnership up front with Adam Birchall and Antonio German providing options from the bench.
Danny Kedwell (knee) is still out of action for at least another 10 days, while Chris Whelpdale (ankle) is also unavailable.
Ryan Inniss is now fit having trained for a full week, however a decision regarding his fitness may be left to the last minute. Amine Linganzi will be fine after suffering a minor cut above his right eye against Crewe.
As for the Dons they have no fresh injury or suspension concerns ahead of the game.
However, manager Karl Robinson does have options in the squad with on loan Swansea striker James Loveridge pushing for his full debut and Dean Bowditch pushing for a recall.
Georgio Rasulo, who came on as a substitute in the 3-2 win over Stevenage on Saturday, recent signing Mark Randall and Ryan Hall are also available if the Manager chooses to change his starting line-up.
Manager Comments:
Peter Taylor said his team lacked energy in the 3-1 defeat to Crewe at Priestfield on Saturday, and the gaffer said his players must be much better against the MK Dons to get a positive result.
Speaking to the media he said: “We’ve got to pick ourselves up and do a lot better on Tuesday night.
“We have eight matches to go with five away and three at home. If we perform a lot better than we did on Saturday then we know we deserve to get some points.
“There are a lot that played Saturday that don’t deserve to play Tuesday because the performance wasn’t right.
“They are going for three points to secure their play-off situation so we understand all that, but all I can do is concentrate on our own performance.”
Previous Meetings:
The clubs last met at MEMS Priestfield Stadium in early October when two early Danny Kedwell penalties, added to by a superb second half header from Danny Hollands in the second half, secured all three points for the Gills in a 3-2 win.
Former loanee at Priestfield Tom Flanagan, who has recently signed a new contract at stadium:mk, was sent off within the first ten minutes but a brace from Patrick Bamford brought the visitors back in to the game before Hollands opened his account for the club.
In total the two clubs have only met 10 times before – of those both teams have three victories each with the other four games being draws.
Officials:
Referee – Carl Berry
Assistants – Paul Hobday and Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth Official -Marvyn Amphlett