Tom O'Connor and Declan Drysdale could both feature as Gills head to Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Shrewsbury Town v Gillingham
Sky Bet League One
Montgomery Waters Meadow
Saturday October 3
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Steve Evans’ squad is beginning to return to full fitness ahead of Saturday’s game. Christian Maghoma will return after receiving a negative COVID-19 test, and new loanees Tom O’Connor and Declan Drysdale could both feature.
Matty Willock will undergo a late fitness test, and Scott Robertson may be rested after heavily featuring in the recent high volume of fixtures. Stuart O’Keefe remains the only long-term absentee whilst Kyle Dempsey continues his recovery from a twisted ankle.
Shrewsbury will be without Ryan Sears and Matija Sarkic as they are both expected to miss up to three months with injury. Leon Clarke and Ollie Norburn may feature as they begin to build their fitness following no pre-season, and Aaron Pierre is likely to once again captain the Shrews on Saturday.
Manager Comments:
Steve Evans - “We will go to Shrewsbury, make changes for Ipswich, assess the treatment room and then see if we need anything position wise.
"We are without fans at the moment but we have to deal with it. Shrewsbury have a good manager in Sam Ricketts who always recruits well.
“We’ve got to go there on Saturday, focus and concentrate on ourselves with a real knowledge and respect of how our opponents play.
"We know how tough it is going to be."
Sam Ricketts - “They had a good win against Blackpool last weekend so we know it’s not going to be easy. They work incredibly hard and don’t give you a second of peace really - as Blackpool found out.
“They have a manager who knows the league well and knows how to get a team performing. We prepare for every game the same way. Every team has good elements and bad elements so we will try to identify those.”
Previous Meetings:
29/01/2020 - Gillingham 2-0 Shrewsbury Town- Sky Bet League One
22/10/2019 - Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Gillingham- Sky Bet League One
13/04/2019 - Gillingham 0-2 Shrewsbury Town- Sky Bet League One
29/09/2018 - Shrewsbury Town 2-2 Gillingham- Sky Bet League One
20/01/2018 - Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Gillingham- Sky Bet League One
The sides last met in January this year as Steve Evans’ side ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium. Stuart O’Keefe and Olly Lee both scored first half goals to secure three points for the Gills.
Gillingham’s last visit to Shrewsbury ended in a 1-1 draw. O’Keefe put the Gills 1-0 up from the penalty spot, but a second half goal from Omar Beckles meant the Kent club went home with a share of the points.
Shrewsbury lead the head-to-head in all competitions with 25 wins to 20 and there have also been 22 draws in this fixture.
Odds:
Shrewsbury Town win - 29/20
Draw - 21/10
Gillingham win - 15/8
Special Bet: Vadaine Oliver to score first and Gillingham to win 2-1- 35/1.
Match Officials:
Referee: James Adcock
Assistants: Marvyn Amphlett and Andrew Aylott
Fourth Official: Joe Clark
iFollow:
All UK subscribers can watch Saturday’s game for a one-off fee of £10! Click the below image to purchase your match pass.
