Gills return to ME7 for the visit of Nigel Clough's Mansfield.
Gillingham v Mansfield Town
Sky Bet League Two
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday September 17th
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Scott Kashket (groin) is a doubt after coming off at half-time in the 1-1 draw at Grimsby. Haji Mnoga will be available for selection after serving his one-match suspension.
Olly Lee (foot) and Dom Jefferies (quad) will be assessed until the last minute ahead of Saturday’s game. Robbie McKenzie could retain his place in the starting XI, having played against Grimsby on Tuesday.
Will Swann, who missed Mansfield’s draw with Carlisle with a chest infection, is a doubt for Saturday and will be assessed before the match. Former Gills loanee Elliot Hewitt impressed Nigel Clough with his performance on Tuesday and should retain his place in the starting XI.
Manager Comments:
Neil Harris: "Nigel is a really good guy. Mansfield have good players at the level.
"We know it will be another stern test. We can't wait to get going."
Nigel Clough [speaking after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Carlisle]: “It was a battling display rather than our usual fluent self at home.
“We were missing the quality of Oates, Perch, Boateng and Swan – three of those were probably certain starters -and we looked a little bit disjointed at times.”
Previous Meetings:
Saturday’s fixture will be the first meeting between the two sides in 26 years. The last time Mansfield travelled to Priestfield came in January of 1996, where Gillingham ran out 2-0 winners.
Kevin Rattray gave Gillingham the lead as a corner towards the six-yard box was bundled home by the midfielder. Tony Butler doubled the advantage as he headed Gary Micklewhite’s free-kick into the bottom corner.
Mansfield leads the head-to-head with 18 wins to Gillingham’s 15, and there have been 17 draws between the two clubs.
Ticket Information:
Tickets for Saturday’s fixture will be available to purchase up until kick-off.
BUY TICKETS | GILLINGHAM V MANSFIELD TOWN
Odds:
Gillingham win - 13/5
Draw - 9/4
Mansfield Town win - Evens
Special Bet: Mikael Mandron to score and Gillingham to win 1-0 - 40/1.
Match Officials:
Referee - Tom Reeves
Assistants - Paul Kelly and Andrew Laver
Fourth Official - Adrian Tranter