Gills make the long trip to Wrexham with Tim Dieng and George Lapslie pushing for starting places.
Stephen Clemence takes charge of his first league fixture as Gills boss on Saturday, with Wrexham providing the opposition at the Racecourse Ground.
Wrexham AFC v Gillingham
The Racecourse Ground
Sky Bet League Two
Saturday November 11
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Oli Hawkins remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a heel injury, the forward has however returned to training, and so will look to build fitness and return to the squad in the next two to three weeks.
Ashley Nadesan has also returned to training and is recovering well from an ankle injury which has kept him out of the squad. The trip to Wrexham will likely come too early for the striker to play a part, with Robbie McKenzie unlikely to take part.
As for Wrexham, Paul Mullin and James McClean will both serve a suspension this weekend and so will be unavailable to face the Gills at the Racecourse ground. Andy Cannon will also be a likely absentee, having picked up an injury during Wrexham’s 2-1 FA Cup win at Mansfield last weekend.
Manager Comments:
Phil Parkinson: "If you haven't played for a long time and you get called upon, you want to be ready and that has served us well so far this season in the league that the players who have stepped in have been ready.
"Tuesday's game will help us with that.
“That was the main aim whilst protecting the players who are going to be needed at the weekend.
“Myself and the rest of the staff will have a good sit down and pick the team we feel is right to go and get the result against Gillingham.”
Stephen Clemence: “I’m really looking forward to it.
"It’s what I’ve come here for. We want to challenge in the league, we’re going to play Wrexham so it’s a big game. These are the games you want to be involved in as a coach and a player.
“We know it’s a difficult game, I think they’re unbeaten in ten. They have a top-class manager who’s done a lot in the game, but we’ll be going there to win.
“You want to win every game.
"That’s the attitude you need to have, it doesn’t matter who we come up against.
“Wrexham have a spotlight on them, but they also have a very good squad. Our players should be going there relishing the opportunity to get a result, and I know they will be.”
Previous Meetings:
The Gills have not faced the Red Dragons since they last travelled to Wrexham in a 1999/2000 league fixture. The hosts took a 1-0 win on the day through a stunning Mark McGregor strike from distance, ultimately denying the Gills automatic promotion to the old first division.
Head-to-Head:
Gillingham – 9
Draw – 8
Wrexham – 16
Wrexham hold the statistics with 15 league wins over the course of history, to Gillingham’s nine league wins. An FA Cup encounter in December 1936 saw this weekend’s hosts progress in the cup with a 2-0 win over the Gills.
Ticket Information:
Tickets for away supports are now completely sold out. No tickets will be available for purchase on the gate.
The Racecourse Ground is a cashless venue.
No alcohol is served to Away fans inside the ground.
Odds:
Wrexham Win – 8/13
Draw – 3/1
Gillingham Win – 19/5
Special Bet – Draw at Half-Time, Gillingham at Full-Time – 10/1
Match Officials:
Referee – Will Finnie
Assistants – Daniel Robinson & Ryan Williams
Fourth Official – Declan Brown
Sat Nav: LL11 2AH