We bring you all the team news and manager comments ahead of this weekend's trip to Meadow Lane
NOTTS COUNTY V GILLINGHAMMeadow Lane
Saturday October 4
Sky Bet League One
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Peter Taylor will have Aaron Morris available again following a short term hamstring problem. The midfielder was left out of the squad that lost to Sheffield United last Saturday, but could be in line to return.
Danny Kedwell (knee) is unlikely to feature until the Scunthorpe game at the very earliest, while the trip to Nottingham has come slightly too early for keeper Stuart Nelson.
As for County, Alan Smith and Gary Jones will be available for the weekend, having missed the midweek game at Crewe.
Jimmy Spencer has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury, but there are no fresh injury concerns for the hosts, with Hayden Mullins, formerly of West Ham, the only other player likely to miss the game on Saturday.
Manager Comments:
Peter Taylor said: “They are having a good time, Shaun’s signed some experienced players and he’s also got some younger players so it looks like he has a good balance and they are in good form so it just shows you what confidence can do.
“They went to Crewe and had another very good away result so I’m sure they are very happy with things at the minute, we know it will be a tough game but I think we are very capable of getting a result.”
Shaun Derry said: "I think we've had a good start, I'm pleased. I don't want us to get too carried away by anything.
"I'm content with it. Look where we were last season. We were 90 minutes being out of this league, so I'm pleased.
"I'm delighted of where we are at the minute. We've come a long way."
Notts County – the season so far
Shaun Derry’s side come into the game against Gillingham having recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday evening.
County have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the division; however they have only recorded one home league win to date. That coming against Colchester on August 19 when the hosts clinched a 2-1 victory.
They currently sit in 10th place in the league table with 14 points (three wins, five draws and two defeats), four places and two points above the Gills.
In the cup competitions, County were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Sheffield Wednesday following a 3-0 defeat at Hillsborough, and in the JPT they will travel to Scunthorpe after beating Mansfield in their first match.
Previous Meetings:
The last time the two sides met was in December 2013 at Meadow Lane when County prevailed to win 3-1 – Bradley Dack grabbing what proved to be a consolation goal for the visitors.
In the reverse fixture Gills won an entertaining game at MEMS Priestfield Stadium 2-1 with Danny Kedwell and Chris Whelpdale getting the goals.
In total the two clubs have met on 29 occasions, of those the Gills have won 14 matches, County have nine wins and the remaining six fixtures have been draws.
Betting:
Sky Bet, the Football League’s title sponsor, price Gillingham at 12/5 to claim maximum points against the Magpies.
You can get 9/4 for a draw while the hosts are 23/20 to clinch victory.
Special Bet: Luke Norris to score first in a 2-1 Gillingham win: 55/1.
Visit www.skybet.com/gillingham for more odds.
Officials:
Referee - Graham Scott
Assistant Referee 1 - Alix Pashley
Assistant Referee 2 - Kevin Mattocks
Fourth Official - Iain Siddall