PREVIEW: COLCHESTER V GILLS

Peter Taylor's side make the short trip to Essex midweek to take on Colchester.

COLCHESTER V GILLINGHAM

Checkatrade Trophy

Weston Homes Community Stadium

Tuesday October 3

Kick-off, 745

Team News:

Billy Bingham (concussion), Scott Wagstaff (calf), Luke O’Neill (hamstring), Bradley Garmston (calf) and Alex Lacey (ankle) will all be absent due to injury.

Mark Byrne and Tom Eaves are both eligible for selection with their respective suspensions not including this competition.

Finn O’Mara is in line to make his full debut while Steve Arnold, Aaron Simpson, Ben Chapman, Darren Oldaker and Greg Cundle will all be pushing for a starting place.

As for Colchester defender Will Wright could make his debut after being drafted into the squad. Former Gills players Doug Loft, Ryan Jackson and Ryan Inniss are all available for selection.

Brandon Comley, Tom Lapslie, Nicke Kabamba and Cole Kpekawa will all be looking for places in the starting XI.

Manager Comments:

John McGreal – “We’ve got a little bit of momentum, and we want to continue that.

“The boys are buzzing, they’re in a good place at the moment and I’m really pleased for them.”

Peter Taylor – “If we’ve got some of the experienced ones here then they might be rested a little bit and maybe some more of the young ones will come in but we’ll have a look at that.”

We’ve met before:

The teams met earlier in the year for a pre-season friendly which the Gills won 2-1 in Essex, however the last competitive meeting between the clubs was on Boxing Day 2015 when the Gills secured a narrow 1-0 victory at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.

Dominic Samuel struck on 70 minutes to give the hosts all three points.

In total the teams have met on 82 occasions with both Gillingham and Colchester recording 28 wins each.

Odds:

Colchester win – 13/10

Draw – 5/2

Gillingham win – 15/8

For more markets click here >> www.skybet.com/FL72.

Officials:

Referee - John Brooks

Assistant Referee 1 - Nicholas Cooper

Assistant Referee 2 - Gregory Read

Fourth Official - Lloyd Wood

SAT NAV: CO4 5UP