Gills go in search of fifth straight win against Wigan.
WIGAN ATHLETIC V GILLINGHAM
DW Stadium
Sky Bet League 1
Saturday February 3
Kick-off, 3pm
Team News:
Steve Lovell will be without defender Alex Lacey for Saturday’s game. The centre-back has suffered an ankle injury and could be out for around three weeks. Scott Wagstaff (hamstring) will not be risked while new signings Navid Nasseri and Rhys Murphy will train in Kent over the weekend as they get up to match fitness.
Stuart Nelson has now left the club which means Tom Hadler will deputise as the substitute goalkeeper.
As for Wigan, defender Donervon Daniels has returned from a loan spell at Rochdale so he is available for selection. Forward James Vaughan comes into contention again having been cup-tied against West Ham in the FA Cup, as does midfielder Jamie Walker who has recovered from a knee problem after joining the club from Hearts.
Midfielder Shaun MacDonald (knee) and defender Craig Morgan (hip) are both unavailable.
Manager Comments:
Paul Cook – “We know disappointment is potentially around the corner, in football it always is, we’re not naïve and we know we’re coming up against a very strong team in Gillingham.
“They’re playing full of confidence and they’re the form team in the division.
“The manager (Steve Lovell) has just been given a fully deserved two-year extension and he’ll want his team to come here and win the game outright.”
Steve Lovell – “They have a good manager, good players, and when they came down here it was an excellent game, probably one of the best games we have been involved in.
“Cookie (Wigan manager Paul Cook) gave us the greatest compliment after that game by saying that we should have won, and maybe we should have at the end, but it will be different on Saturday.
“They are flying high and will be full of confidence but so are we. We are looking forward to it, we will go out there and really have a go at them and make sure they know that they have been in a game.”
Previous Meetings:
The clubs last met at MEMS Priestfield Stadium earlier this season when the Gills earned a 1-1 draw against the Latics in an excellent display under Steve Lovell.
Tom Eaves put the hosts in front but Sam Morsy struck with just eight minutes of normal time remaining to ensure the points were shared.
Gills most famous victory over Wigan was in the 2000 second division play-off final at Wembley where Andy Thomson and Steve Butler struck in extra-time to give Peter Taylor’s side a 3-2 win which ensured promotion.
Odds:
Wigan win – 4/11
Draw – 18/5
Gills win – 8/1
Special Bet: Callum Reilly to score first in a 2-2 draw – 900/1!
For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72
Officials:
Referee - Nicholas Kinseley
Assistant Referee 1 - Iain Siddall
Assistant Referee 2 - Graeme Fyvie
Fourth Official - Ken Haycock
SAT NAV: WN5 0UH