We look ahead to Saturday's game at the New York Stadium
ROTHERHAM UNITED v GILLINGHAMnpower League Two
Saturday December 8 2012
New York Stadium
Kick-off: 3.00pm
TEAM NEWS…
Martin Allen revealed in this morning’s press conference that he has a couple of injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s game but he wasn’t going to name them.
The Gillingham manager did reveal that both young defender Devante McKain and forward Nathan Nyafli would be in the travelling party.
Earlier in the week United manager Steve Evans told his club’s website that ‘subject to training this week’ and a reserve match that was subsequently postponed, ‘I know my team and shape for Saturday and there will be most likely two or three changes.’
Left-back Liam Ridehalgh, on loan from Huddersfield Town, is expected to return to the Millers line-up having not been given permission to play in the FA Cup last weekend. Kieran Agard, Kari Arnason, David Noble and Scott Shearer are all believed to be on the comeback trail.
THE MILLERS SEASON SO FAR…
Rotherham go into Saturday’s game having recorded seven wins and two draws from their last 11 games, a run that coincides with boss Evans return to the dug-out after his six-game stadium ban.
The South Yorkshire side currently lie fourth in the League Two table having picked up 34 points (10 wins and four draws) from their 20 games.
At their new 12,021 all-seater New York Stadium, opened at the start of this season when Burton Albion were the visitors, the Millers have won seven and lost three times.
LEADING GOALSCORERS…
Danny Kedwell (11) and Deon Burton (seven) continue to lead the Gillingham scoring chart with Myles Weston (five) and Chris Whelpdale (four) following.
The Gills can also boast another 13 players who have found the back of the net during the season.
Meanwhile striker Daniel Nardiello, once of Manchester United, tops United’s goalscoring chart with 10 goals.
Midfielders Ben Pringle (five), Michael O’Connor and Lee Frecklington (both four) are next on the list ahead of another forward, Alex Revell, who has three goals to his name.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS…
Gillingham hold the upper hand having won 21 and drawn 15 of the 52 previous meetings against Rotherham United which date back to the first in August 1968.
Going a bit further back, in December 1909, there was an FA Cup Fifth Qualifying Round tie at then Midland League side Rotherham Town which the Gills won 1-0.
Of course this will be the Gills first trip to Rotherham’s new ground, the New York Stadium, having previously played the Millers at both Millmoor and the Don Valley Stadium.
OFFICIALS…
Referee – Andy Haines
Assistant Referee’s – Steven Meredith & Danny Gratton
Fourth Official – Alf Greenwood
The Tyne & Wear official has taken charge of 14 games previously this season and has issued 37 yellow and one red card.
His last fixture involving Gillingham was a League Two fixture at Lincoln City in April 2011 when the Gills ran out 4-0 winners.