The Gills travel to Coventry City in Sky Bet League One on Saturday, February 18, 3pm kick-off
Sky Bet League One
Ricoh Arena
Saturday, February 18
3pm kick-off
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Assistants: Duncan Street and Michael D'aguilar
Fourth Official: Ian Dudley
Ady Pennock’s side travel to Coventry City on Saturday looking to make it six unbeaten in Sky Bet League One. Over 400 away fans will travel to the Ricoh Arena for Saturday's game, with tickets available on the day. Click here for more information.
TEAM NEWS
Gills head coach Pennock confirmed that Chris Herd has returned to training after missing the 1-1 draw with Chesterfield in midweek, but faces a late fitness test.
Gillingham go into the Ricoh clash looking to make it six unbeaten and Pennock has taken plenty positives from performances over the last few games, but knows Saturday's game won't be against a side battling for Sky Bet League One survival.
“It’s going to be a big pitch. We want to get the ball down in good areas and play like we did on Tuesday [against Chesterfield], but be a bit more clinical in front of goal whilst keeping a clean sheet," said Pennock.
“We all know the pitch isn’t great, and will be soft and bumpy. If we can’t find space we might have to win our battles and do the basics. If we do the basics properly, our ability should come through.”
THE OPPOSITION
Russel Slade's City sit bottom of the Sky Bet League One table on 22 points having won just four of their 31 games this season.
The Sky Blues' last league win came against Chesterfield on November 1 and since then they have lost 12 out of their 15 games.
Despite their woes in the league, City find themselves with a chance of winning silverware in the Checkatrade Trophy final on April 2, where they will face either Luton Town or Oxford United.
Last week ex-Nigeria international and Premier League goal scorer Yakubu joined Slade's strike force, and the 34-year-old could line up to face the Gills on Saturday.
The former-Everton front man came on as a substitute against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday, where Coventry were denied a victory with a last-gasp Wombles equaliser.
LAST TIME WE MET
The Sky Blues, then managed by Tony Mowbray, visited the MEMS Priestfield Stadium at the end of September in Sky Bet League One and were 1-0 up after Kyel Reid's 21st-minute strike.
However, goals from Max Ehmer and Billy Knott ensured the Gills left with all three points, piling more pressure on Mowbray, who resigned five days after the game.
The teams have met 56 times in total, with the Gills winning 19, drawing 11 and losing 26.
FANCY A FLUTTER?
Coventry City win – 6/4
Draw – 23/10
Gills win–9/5
For all the latest match odds visit Sky Bet.
MATCH COVERAGE
GillsPlayer will have live match commentary from 3pm with Ben Watts 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
Bradford v Bolton
Chesterfield v Bury
MK Dons v Fleetwood
Port Vale v Bristol Rovers
Rochdale v Charlton
Sheffield United v Scunthorpe
Shrewsbury v AFC Wimbledon
Southend v Northampton
Swindon v Oldham
Walsall v Peterborough United
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