The Gills travel to Shrewsbury in Sky Bet League One on Saturday
Sky Bet League One
Greenhous Meadow
Saturday, August 27
3pm kick-off
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Darren Deadman
Assistants: David Benton and Joe Clarke
Fourth Official: Philip Dermott
The Gills travel to Shrewsbury on Saturday, fresh off the back of knocking Premier League side Watford out of the EFL Cup in midweek.
The game is the third away trip in the space of seven days for the Gills and comes before a triple-header of matches at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium, starting with Luton, then Sheffield United and finally Coventry City.
Fans are advised to buy tickets online (click here) as the phone lines are expected to be busy over the coming weeks.
TEAM NEWS
Speaking after the EFL Cup win against Watford on Tuesday night, Justin Edinburgh confirmed that both Jamie O'Hara and Ryan Jackson missed the trips to Scunthorpe and Watford due to injuries picked up in training. The manager also said that the pair could return for the weekend, in time to travel to the midlands.
Darren Oldaker and Elliott List have deputised over the last few games, with the Gills having a number of key players out through injury, and Edinburgh is pleased with their performances.
"They played with no fear, and it shouldn’t make any difference [playing on the big stage],” he said. “They are in the squad for a reason. I believe in them, I feel they're capable and I think they showed that out in the arena tonight.
“It was an unfamiliar position for Elliott, but he acquitted himself very well, as he did Saturday. I am pleased for them both to sample and play in a stadium like that against quality Premier League players."
THE OPPOSITION
Shrewsbury sit 20th in the League One table after picking up four points from the opening quartet of fixtures. Micky Mellon's men have only scored two goals since the season kicked off, both coming in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Chesterfield.
Ex-Gill Adam El-Abd came under praise from his new boss after handling Ched Evans in the victory over the Spireites at the weekend.
"I think there's no doubt that you're looking at a lad playing below his level," said the Town boss. "He [Evans] showed all of the qualities today so it's a real good test for our lads to come up against that and they enjoyed it and can feel pleased that they took part in it."
The Shrews come into the game on Saturday after being narrowly beaten in the EFL Cup by Sunderland, who scored a late winner through Manchester United loanee Adnan Janujaz.
LAST TIME WE MET
The teams met back in April in a thrilling encounter at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium, but the Gills could not find the three points needed to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive.
Shrewsbury won the game 3-2 and took the lead on three occasions, but the Gills fought back with two equalising goals from Cody McDonald and Jake Hessenthaler. Edinburgh's team couldn't find the third equaliser, however, as the Shrews all but confirmed their League One status for the 2016/17 season.
The teams have met 59 times in total, with the Gills winning 18, drawing 18 and losing 23.
FANCY A FLUTTER?
Shrewsbury win – 7/4
Draw - 12/5
Gillingham win– 6/4
For all the latest match odds visit Sky Bet.
MATCH COVERAGE
GillsPlayer will have live match commentary from 2.50pm with Ronan Sully and Peter Lloyd. To subscribe, click here.
The GillsWall will have interactive text commentary of the match, and the club’s social media channels will be bringing you live updates throughout the day.
SATURDAY’S SKY BET LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES
Swindon v Bristol Rovers
Bradford v Oldham
Charlton v Bolton
Chesterfield v Millwall
Coventry v Northampton
MK Dons v Peterborough
Port Vale v Scunthorpe
Rochdale v Wimbledon
Sheffield Utd v Oxford Utd
Southend v Fleetwood
Walsall v Bury
*Matches are 3pm kick-offs unless stated