We bring you the manager comments, team news, latest odds and ticket information as Gills prepare for a top of the table clash with Walsall (Sat, 3pm)
WALSALL V GILLINGHAM
Sky Bet League One
Banks’s Stadium
Saturday October 31
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Luke Norris (ankle) will be out of action until early December so Cody McDonald (heel) may be recalled to the starting XI to partner Rory Donnelly.
Doug Loft (Achilles) is fit to play while Deji Oshilaja (knee) returns to Priestfield on Monday after receiving treatment at parent club Cardiff.
As for Walsall Rico Henry (ankle) has recovered from injury and is expected to feature. Neil Etheridge (knee) is back in contention after having stitches removed.
Sam Mantom (ankle) is out for a few weeks, while Isaiah Osbourne (knee) could be out until January at the earliest.
Management Comments:
Dean Smith – “I’ve not locked horns yet with Justin Edinburgh but he’s a lad I know quite well.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for what he did at Rushden & Diamonds, then Newport County and now Gillingham.
“We’ve always had a really challenging game against Gillingham whenever we’ve played them.”
Justin Edinburgh – “These are the games you want to be playing in, and certainly managing in. We are looking forward to a tough encounter.
“There’s an expectancy now and a different challenge, people want to take a scalp so there are different kinds of emotions and dealing with pressure but I know what end I’d rather be at.”
Previous Meetings:
The clubs last met in February earlier this year when a 1-1 draw was played out at Banks’s Stadium.
Ashley Grimes cancelled out Bradley Dack’s opener on 69 minutes to clinch a point, just a week prior to Justin Edinburgh’s appointment as Manager.
In total the clubs have met on 108 occasions – of those the Gills have won 45 matches, the Saddlers are just shy of that tally with 41 wins while the other 22 games have been a draw.
Betting:
Walsall Win – Evens
Draw – 5/2
Gillingham Win – 13/5
Special Bet: Jermaine McGlashan to score first in a 2-1 Gills win – 90/1.
Tickets:
Supporters can purchase on the day of the game, however prices do increase by £2.
For all information, including coach departure times, click here.
Officials:
Referee - Darren Drysdale
Assistant Referee 1 - Richard Martin
Assistant Referee 2 - Nicholas Barnard
Fourth Official - Mark Jones