Alex Lacey set to step in for Gabriel Zakuani for the visit of AFC Wimbledon.
GILLINGHAM V AFC WIMBLEDON
The Medway Priestfield Stadium
Sky Bet League One
Saturday September 8
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Having been forced off in the first half of the draw against Coventry with a hamstring injury, Mark Byrne could be in contention to make a return to the squad. However, Gabriel Zakuani will most likely miss the game with a shoulder issue.
Dean Parrett is all but certain to miss the fixture against his former club as he continues his rehab from a hamstring problem, whilst Regan Charles-Cook (hamstring) is still 2-3 weeks away from being fit.
Josh Parker is away on international duty but Connor Ogilvie is available after joining on loan from Tottenham last week. Liam Nash will not be part of the squad having joined Dulwich Hamlet on Friday afternoon.
Having signed a loan deal on deadline day, forward Jake Jervis played 78 minutes for Wimbledon in Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy win and will be in contention to make his first league start.
Tom Soares may play some part of Saturday’s game, but Terrell Thomas might be unavailable with a knee problem.
Managers Comments:
Steve Lovell - “Wimbledon have players that we know which makes it a bit more interesting. It will be a battle and we are looking forward to it.”
Neal Ardley - ‘We learned from things we didn’t get right last year. We were a bit set in our ways and it didn’t happen."
Previous Meetings:
The last time the two sides met was at Priestfield at the end of 2017 as the game ended in a 2-2 draw. It was a game where Gillingham led twice but were subsequently pegged back twice. An own goal from George Francomb and a tap in from Max Ehmer was cancelled out by goals from Lyle Taylor and Harry Forrester.
In eight competitive meetings it is the Wombles who have the better record having won three times in comparison to the Gills one. The two teams have also played out four draws.
Odds:
Gillingham win - 19/10
Draw - 12/5
AFC Wimbledon win - 7/5
Special bet: Tom Eaves to score first and Gillingham to win 2-0- 45/1.
For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72.
Match Officials:
Referee - Nicholas Kinseley
Assistant Referee 1 - Richard Kendall
Assistant Referee 2 - Gareth Viccars
Fourth Official - Trevor Kettle
iFollow:
Sign up to iFollow and, this Saturday, watch the game live from the Medway Priestfield Stadium with exclusive commentary coming from the team at BBC Radio Kent.
Audio will become available a couple of minutes before kick-off. You can follow live updates on Twitter via @TheGillsFC.