Neil Harris takes his Gills side to promotion chasing Stevenage on Monday, however new signing Tom Nichols will not be available for selection.
Stevenage v Gillingham
Sky Bet League Two
Lamex Stadium
Monday January 2nd
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Tom Nichols will not be available for the Gills due to EFL registration rules. He will likely make his debut against Hartlepool on January 14th as he is also cup tied.
Ben Reeves and Lewis Walker will both remain out due to injury. Elkan Baggott is a doubt after coming off at half-time against Sutton with what appeared to be a foot problem. Joe Gbode is available if called upon.
Saxon Earley will not feature for Stevenage after he was recalled by parent club Norwich. Max Clark will likely start in his place. Apart from the one forced change, Steve Evans could start the same ten players for a third successive game.
Manager Comments:
Steve Evans - “We just focus on ourselves. We have to be ready for Gillingham. Hopefully, we will add to the group over the next one, two or three days. Of course, they can’t affect the game."
Neil Harris - “It’s another challenge. We played extremely well against them at our place. It was a 1-1 draw and we ultimately, deserved to win the game. Stevenage are a big physical side that play one way and are very good at it.”
Previous Meetings:
The two sides met earlier in the season, where Gills came away with a well-deserved point at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium in October. Danny Rose put Stevenage in front just before the half-hour mark. Saxon Earley delivered a cross towards the penalty spot, and Rose jumped the highest as he directed his header out of Glenn Morris’ reach.
The Stevenage lead lasted 12 minutes as Elkan Baggott brought Gillingham back on level terms. Will Wright curled a free-kick into the box from the right-hand side, and Baggott did well to get across his marker before thumping his header into the bottom corner.
Gillingham’s last visit to Stevenage ended in defeat as The Boro won 3-0 in the FA Cup First Round in 2015.
Steven Schumacher gave Stevenage the lead in the 13th minute as his effort from the edge of the box hit the post before finding the back of the net. Former Gills midfielder Chris Whelpdale doubled their lead just short of the half-hour mark. Following a corner, the ball bounced around the penalty area before Whelpdale’s header goalward evaded everybody as it found the back of the net.
Armand Gnanduillet made it three at the death. Dean Parrett managed to break away from the Gillingham defence, setting up a two-on-one, where he squared it to Gnanduillet, who slotted it into the back of an empty goal.
Ticket Information:
Gills have been allocated just over 1000 tickets for the game on January 2nd, where the visiting supporters will be situated in the South Stand. Tickets will be available on the day, collections to be made from the away ticket office.
Prices:
Adults - £22
Concession - £20 (Disabled, proof of medium-high living disability allowance or equivalent PIP Award, Students with valid ID card, 60 and over, Ex/Current Serviceman/Woman with a defence discount service card, NHS/Emergency service workers)
U18- £14
U12 - £8
For more information, click here.
Odds:
Stevenage win - 4/9
Draw - 3/1
Gillingham win - 13/2
Special Bet: Dom Jefferies to score and Gillingham to win- 40/1.
Match Officials:
Referee - Sunny Gill
Assistants - Daniel Bonneywell and Ian Smedley
Fourth Official - Sam Mulhall
iFollow:
Monday’s game is available to stream via iFollow for a one-off fee of just £10! BBC Radio Kent will provide full commentary of the fixture. To but a video match pass, click here.