We look ahead to Gills first home league game of the 2014/15 season
GILLINGHAM V YEOVILSky Bet League One
Saturday August 16
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Peter Taylor could be without as many as six first team regulars for the visit of Yeovil Town. Cody McDonald (ankle), Stuart Nelson (thumb), Jermaine McGlashan (hamstring), Matt Fish (knee), Brennan Dickenson (shoulder) and Amine Linganzi (hamstring) could all miss the first home game of the league season.
Josh Pritchard however is close to full fitness and is in line to make his debut. New loan signing Stephen Bywater could also play, however Peter Taylor will need to decide whether he or Glenn Morris should start in goal.
For Yeovil, one change is forced upon Gary Johnson in defence.
The Glovers have decided against appealing Seth Nana’s red card from Tuesday night so he’ll be suspended for the next three fixtures.
Brendan Moloney is therefore likely to return to the starting 11.
Another selection headache concerns the number one goalkeeping position - Chris Weale and Artur Krysiak are both competing for the shirt and the Manager is likely to make a late decision.
Kevin Dawson and Joel Grant both edge closer to fitness but Liam Davis is still set to be out with a broken wrist.
Another man who won’t be available is Marvin Elliot; he remains on trial with the club with Gary Johnson giving the striker every chance to prove his fitness.
Manager Comments:
Peter Taylor wants the Gills to get their league season up and running this Saturday and, despite a couple of injures, is confident he has the quality at his disposal to get a result.
He said: “I know we haven’t got any league points at the minute but I’m happy with the way we played in the two matches – not for 90 minutes.
“For 35 minutes against MK Dons we were OK, at other times we were disappointing in defending set pieces. On Tuesday we did some good things and scored a couple more goals – that’s four away in two matches so it’s been an OK start.”
Gary Johnson said: “I would hope that the players will feel that they owe them one after getting beat on our own patch and it is a game that we have got to get some points on the board from.
“We got beat in one league game and one cup game but you must not leave it too late to get your first few points on the board, just for your own confidence really."
Betting:
For all of the best odds in a variety of markets visit www.skybet.com/gillingham
Officials:
Referee – Lee Collins
Assistants – Michael George and Geoffrey Russell
Fourth Official – Patrick Miller