Gills set to welcome AFC Wimbledon to ME7.
GILLINGHAM V AFC WIMBLEDON
MEMS PRIESTFIELD STADIUM
SKY BET LEAGUE 1
SATURDAY DECEMBER 30
KICK-OFF, 3PM
Team News:
Steve Lovell and his medical staff will assess Scott Wagstaff up until the last minute to see if he has overcome a hamstring problem. Billy Bingham (leg) remains out of action while Bradley Garmston (hamstring) is a doubt, but otherwise the Gills boss has a fully fit squad to choose from.
As for AFC Wimbledon, Harry Forrester and Kwesi Appiah are both doubtful. Forrester was left out of Neal Ardley's side for the loss to Portsmouth because of a thigh strain sustained in training on Christmas Eve.
Appiah (hamstring) is close to a return and his condition will be assessed up until the last moment.
Manager Comments:
Steve Lovell – “We’re looking forward to this one; we’ve had some good results lately but naturally you always want to win in front of your own supporters and it’s no different this time around.
“We want to finish the year on a high and three points would give us a huge boost.”
Neal Ardley – ““It is a talent group but the problem we have had this season, which everyone knows, is that I'm used to having four centre forwards, different types of player to mix and match as I see fit, and we haven't had that.
“That's my fault. I tried my best to get the fourth in and I couldn't. We've lost Kwesi and we have actually lost him for most of the season up until now so that's been tough and it's going to take a little while to get him back into the fold.”
Previous Meetings:
In the reverse fixture earlier this season Sean Clare rescued a point for Gills in a 1-1 draw at Kingsmeadow. Andy Barcham had put the hosts in front after controlling the opening exchanges. However Clare struck just before the interval following Lee Martin’s sending off.
In total the teams have only met on seven occasions – Gills only victory coming in October 2012 when Romain Vincelot’s strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Martin Allen’s side away from home.
Odds:
Gills win – 13/8
Draw – 11/5
AFC Wimbledon win – 7/4
Special: Josh Parker to score first in a 2-0 Gills victory – 70/1.
For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72.
Officials:
Referee - Robert Lewis
Assistant Referee 1 - Abbas Khan
Assistant Referee 2 - Andrew Laver
Fourth Official - Gregory Read