Match Previews

Preview | Gillingham v Newport County

16th January

Gillingham v Newport County

Sky Bet League Two

MEMS Priestfield Stadium

Saturday January 17, 2026

Kick-Off, 3pm

Team News:

Nelson Khumbeni (shoulder) and Marcus Wyllie (ankle) will miss Saturday’s fixture due to injury. Apart from that, Gareth Ainsworth says that the rest of his squad have a clean bill of health heading into the game.

Jonny Smith and Garath McCleary are pushing for a starting place, as is Elliott Nevitt and Ethan Coleman.

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and James Crole could be in line to make their Newport County debuts on Saturday, having signed for the club during the week, while Habeeb Ogunneye has returned to his parent club, Manchester United.

Christian Fuchs may also hand debuts to Harrison Biggins and Ryan Delaney, who signed on loan from Shrewsbury Town and Swindon Town respectively.

Manager Comments:

Gareth Ainsworth: “It is going to be a tough game against Newport. They are trying to find their feet. They have lost a couple of players and have gained a couple of players. I think that they will be slightly different to when we played them earlier in the season.

“We had one defeat and one win against them. We were disappointed in the cup when we went out in the penalty shootout, but I thought that in the league game, we were quite good after a shaky start. Hopefully, the shaky start won't be there this time, and we will go and perform like we know we can at home.”

Christian Fuchs: "The break came at the right time. We had a couple of injuries. There was sickness too, so certain players would not have been available to us.

"In my eyes the break was well-timed. We had a spa treatment day, there was a little competition too. It was good for team bonding. Then we broke up for a while. It sometimes helps to go away from focusing on the next game and training.

"The boys have come back this week and have been flying in training. Now we are really looking forward to the match on Saturday."

Previous Meetings:

Since Newport County reformed in 1989, the two Football Clubs have met on nine occasions, with Newport winning eight times (twice on penalties), and Gills winning once, the 3-1 victory earlier this season.

Our last victory against The Exiles at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium came back in May 1984, before Newport initially went out of business. Gillingham ran out 4-1 winners in a game that saw almost all of the action occur in the opening ten minutes.

Russell Musker opened the scoring in the opening seconds before Tony Cascarino doubled the advantage a couple of minutes later. Terry Cochrane sent a cross towards the back post, where Cascarino did well to angle his header into the back of the net.

Tarki Micallef pulled a goal back for the visitors in the fifth minute before Cascarino scored his second in the eighth minute. Newport failed to clear a Cochrance cross, allowing Cascarino to capitalise, as he sent a powerful first-time drive into the goal.

Steve Bruce put the game to bed shortly after half-time from the penalty spot. Musker was brought down inside the box, and Bruce stepped up to convert the spot kick.

Tickets:

Home supporters can buy tickets online, or in person, up until kick-off. Our ticketing desk will be open from 9am on the day of the fixture. Away fans can also purchase online via their dedicated away portal until 3pm.