Steve Lovell has a strong squad available for Gills match against the Saddlers at Priestfield.
GILLINGHAM V WALSALL
MEMS PRIESTFIELD STADIUM
SKY BET LEAGUE ONE
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17
KICK-OFF, 3PM
Team News:
Manager Steve Lovell confirmed that Alex Lacey (ankle) is still a couple of weeks away from full fitness but is back running. Captain Lee Martin has fully recovered from his calf problem and after dropping to the bench midweek Bradley Garmston is once again fully fit.
Lovell confirmed that long term absentee Billy Bingham is doing well in his recovery from injury but is still some way off getting fully match fit.
Manager Comments:
Steve Lovell - “At the moment confidence is high. It’s about us, we know the way they will set up but we focus on what we do when we have the ball. If we start bright I think we’ll be fine.
“Defensively we have been very sound and we need to make sure we continue that.”
Jon Whitney - “It’s nice to go into Gillingham, who are in good form themselves, on the back of seven points.
“Confidence is high and both teams are playing well.”
Previous Meetings:
The Gills won the reverse fixture in November as a Conor Wilkinson goal ensured a 1-0 win at The Bescot Stadium. The win was Steve Lovell’s first as permanent manager.
When the sides last met at Priestfield it ended in a stalemate as a Cody McDonald goal was cancelled out by January signing Frank Moussa in a 1-1 draw.
It’s the home side who have the advantage in the overall head to head statistics, winning 47 times whilst the Saddlers have defeated the Gills 43 times in all competitions. 23 of the 113 games have ended in draws.
Odds:
Gillingham win - 11/8
Draw - 23/10
Walsall win - 2/1
Special Bet: Josh Parker to score first, Gillingham to win 3-1- 70/1.
For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72.
Officials:
Referee- Kevin Johnson
Assistant Referee 1- Michael Webb
Assistant Referee 2- Sam Lewis
Fourth Official- Christopher Kidd