We bring you the team news and manager comments ahead of Tuesday night's JPT clash between Colchester and Gillingham
COLCHESTER V GILLINGHAMJohnstone’s Paint Trophy
Weston Homes Community Stadium
Tuesday October 7
Kick-Off, 745pm
Team News:
Peter Taylor has revealed that Stuart Nelson will make a return to the match squad for Tuesday’s trip to Colchester, however it remains to be seen whether he will start the game or provide cover from the bench.
If he is among the substitutes then Glenn Morris could be in line to make his third start for the club.
Danny Kedwell is still two weeks away from first team consideration – Cody McDonald, Luke Norris and Antonio German are all fit to play if required.
Matt Fish is pushing for a starting place at right back, with Amine Linganzi also looking to be involved.
As for Colchester, David Fox is set to make his second debut for the club. The 30-year-old midfielder, who made 21 appearances for the U's during the 2009/10 campaign, re-signed on Monday on a three-month deal.
Former Gills loanee Elliott Hewitt could also feature for Colchester after signing a month's loan agreement.
Tosin Olufemi will be missing until Christmas at the earliest due to an Achilles problem.
Manager Comments:
Peter Taylor conceded on Monday that he would not be taking any risks on players with slight knocks for the trip to Essex, however he intends to take the fixture as seriously as any other.
He said: “We know that Colchester have had a couple of decent results so we know it will be a difficult test, we will be taking a strong team there and we are going to try and win the match, simple as that.
“There are rules that you have to play six players that have either played the majority of your matches or six that started on Saturday.
“We have got a couple of players who do need a bit of a rest but I can assure people it will be a strong team and we want to get through.”
Previous Meetings:
The two clubs last met in January of this year when Colchester secured a comfortable 3-0 win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Goals from Sanchez Watt, Clinton Morrison and Freddie Sears secured maximum points, having also defeated Gills on the opening day of the season with Andy Bond netting an 89th minute winner.
The last time Gillingham beat Colchester was, ironically, in a JPT tie in September 2009 at Priestfield when a penalty shoot out was required to determine the winner.
Simeon Jackson’s opener was cancelled out by Clive Platt late on, but the hosts won 4-3 on spot kicks.
In total the clubs have met on 77 occasions – of those Gills have won 26, Colchester edge the head to head stats with 27 victories and the other 24 games have been draws.
Betting:
Sky Bet, the title sponsor of the Football League, make Colchester the slight favourites for the game with odds of 11/10, while Gills are 12/5 to go through.
Luke Norris is 7/1 to score first, but if you fancy an outsider then Callum Davies is 40/1 to net the first goal.
Special Bet: Bradley Dack to score first in a 3-2 Gillingham win – 240/1.
For more odds across a variety of markets visit www.skybet.com/gillingham
Officials:
Referee - Michael Bull
Assistant Referee 1 - Neil Davies
Assistant Referee 2 - Lee Venamore
Fourth Official - Christopher Pollard