GILLINGHAM V SHREWSBURY TOWN: MATCH PREVIEW

Sky Bet League One 

MEMS Priestfield Stadium 

Saturday, January 28

3pm kick-off 

Referee: Trevor Kettle

Assistants: Gavin Muge and Sam Purkiss

Fourth Official: Stephen Finch

Ady Pennock’s first home game in charge of the Gills comes against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday in Sky Bet League One. 

Tickets are still available for this eagerly-anticipated match at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium; fans can buy theirs online now by clicking here.  

Gills head coach Pennock confirmed that Chris Herd is still a doubt for Saturday’s visit of Salop. The defender was replaced by Emmanuel Osadebe at half-time against Sheffield United on Saturday after suffering a head injury just before the break.

The Australian remains the only new injury worry, and the head coach also gave an update on long-term absentees Lee Martin and Bradley Garmston. 

"We have to be careful with Bradley [Garmston] and Lee [Martin] and manage them properly," said Pennock. "Hopefully they'll be playing in an in-house game next week, but when they return they will be like two new signings."

Pennock also praised the supporters for their backing at Bramall Lane on Saturday, saying: "The 300 or so Gillingham fans were out-singing the 20,000 Sheffield United fans, and it was fantastic to hear. It was something special, but we have to do it here [at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium]."

Paul Hurst’s team sit one place in front of the relegation spots on 28 points; a win for Salop on Saturday could see them move above the Gills on goal difference.

Town duo Louis Dodds and Ryan McGivern have both stepped up their training in a bid to be fit for the trip to Kent, with both missing out on their side's crucial win against Oldham Athletic on Saturday. 

Shrewsbury’s top scorer Dodds scored both goals when the teams met back in August, but has been sidelined with a calf injury.

Northern Ireland international McGivern has been out of action for a month with a shoulder injury, but looks set to be part of the travelling squad on Saturday. 

The two sides last met at the start of the season where the Gills came away from Greenhous Meadow with all three points. 

Two second-half goals from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, alongside Max Ehmer’s last-minute winner, saw the Gills overturn a two-goal deficit at half-time and come out 3-2 winners.