Daniel Adshead, Robbie McKenzie and Ryan Jackson could be involved at Priestfield for the visit of Morecambe.
Gillingham v Morecambe
Sky Bet League One
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday August 21
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
David Tutonda will miss the game through suspension having being sent off for a second bookable offence in the midweek draw at AFC Wimbledon. New loanee Dan Adshead will be available, having signed from Norwich City on Wednesday.
Steve Evans will be hoping that he will have at least one of Ryan Jackson, Daniel Phillips, Alex MacDonald and John Akinde fit to be involved on Saturday. All four players missed the AFC Wimbledon game due to injury. There could be a first league start for Harvey Lintott after his late heroics in the 1-1 draw.
Gerald Sithole will miss the game due to COVID, and Christian Maghoma will be unavailable having joined Eastleigh on loan.
The Shrimps added Courtney Duffus to their ranks on Wednesday, and he will be available to feature if selected in the matchday 18 by Stephen Robinson.
Ryan Delaney and Aaron Wildig may feature having returned to training. Kyle Letheren recently injured his shoulder and Morecambe are unsure on how much time he will miss. Jon Obika and Jonah Ayunga will remain out with injury.
Manager Comments:
Steve Evans - "It will be tough tomorrow. The first thing you have to have is respect for all opponents. Morecambe will be organised and disciplined.
“There are certain benchmarks you look for. We need to get three points, but it will be difficult. This is a good test for us."
Diarmuid O’Carroll- “Gillingham are proven, they know what they’re all about, they’re very, very difficult to play against.
“They’re a very physical side, they’re bought into their way of playing, their style of play, it’s a tough place to go.”
Previous Meetings:
16/03/2013 - Morecambe 1-1 Gillingham - League Two
17/11/2012 - Gillingham 2-1 Morecambe - League Two
05/05/2012 - Gillingham 2-0 Morecambe - League Two
29/10/2011 - Morecambe 2-1 Gillingham - League Two
16/04/2011 - Gillingham 1-1 Morecambe - League Two
The last time Gills played Morecambe at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium came during the club’s title-winning season under Martin Allen.
Lewis Montrose had initially put Gillingham a goal to the good, but Jack Redshaw scored midway through the second half. With the game looking set to be a draw, Deon Burton stole the points in spectacular fashion to ensure a vital win for the Gills.
Charlie Lee scored a goal in each half as the Gills beat the Shrimps 2-0 on the final day of the 2011/12 season. The club finished the season strongly but were unable to break into the top seven.
Gillingham lead the head-to-head with four wins to Morecambe’s one. There have also been three draws in the fixture.
Odds:
Gillingham win- 11/10
Draw- 23/10
Morecambe win- 23/10
Special Bet: Danny Lloyd to score first and Gillingham to win 2-0- 35/1.
Match Officials:
Referee: Tom Nield
Assistants: Ryan Whitaker and Marc Wilson
Fourth Official: Andrew Aylott