Rotherham United v Gillingham
Sky Bet League Two
New York Stadium
Saturday October 10, 2026
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Conor McManus will be assessed until the last possible moment after playing and scoring for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s on Tuesday night against England. Garath McCleary, who went off with a back issue against Newport County, will require a late fitness test.
Gareth Ainsworth confirmed that Eli King will be unavailable for the next few weeks. However, Armani Little and Ethan Coleman are back in contention, having been involved in last Saturday’s game. Zane Albaurs is available for selection after serving his one-game suspension.
Rotherham will monitor Brandon Cover ahead of Saturday’s fixture after he returned from international duty. Klaidi Lolos could be in line to make his debut for Rotherham, but Alex Bruce will be careful with the loanee after his spell out due to injury.
Jamie Jellis, who suffered a calf injury on the opening day of the season, is back fit and should be involved in the matchday squad at the weekend.
Manager Comments:
Alex Bruce: “I am expecting a typical Gareth Ainsworth team. Gillingham have got a decent side and have some decent players. They have had a similar start to us in terms of how it has gone for them.
“A lot of teams around us, it is still very tight, and I envisage it to be like that for a large chunk of the season. It’s about who can put runs together at the right time, and I am sure that Gareth will be no different to everybody else in that respect. It will be a tough game, but a good game to look forward to.”
Gareth Ainsworth: “We have got to look at Rotherham and respect them. Scoring three against Salford is no mean feat, and we have got to understand that they are probably finding their feet a little bit later. They have had a new manager, a new style and a new set of players.
“We have to make sure that we are on it for this Saturday because that will be a tough game. Rotherham away is always a tough game, and we have to make sure that we are on it.”
Gareth’s exclusive with Gills TV can be seen here.
Previous Meetings:
Saturday’s game will be the 62nd meeting between the two clubs. Gillingham narrowly leads the head-to-head with 24 wins to Rotherham’s 22. The fixture has also ended all square on 15 occasions.
Our last win at the New York Stadium came in late October 2018, as Steve Lovell’s side came away with a fantastic 3-1 win.
The visitors opened the scoring after two minutes when Josh Parker beat Marek Rodak to Billy Bingham’s corner and headed beyond the onrushing goalkeeper.
Gills carried the lead into half-time, and scored two minutes after the restart. Jake Hessenthaler cut his cross back towards the penalty spot, finding an unmarked Tom Eaves, who sent a diving header into the bottom right corner.
Kieffer Moore pulled a goal back less than ten minutes later when his low drive snuck past Tomas Holy at his near post. However, with five minutes to go, Rotherham were reduced to ten men when Joe Mattock was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The Gills took advantage of their extra man and put the game out of sight less than a minute later when Bingham’s pinpoint corner found a rising Parker, who nodded the ball home from six yards out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMfyMn5Doy8
Tickets:
BUY TICKETS | ROTHERHAM UNITED V GILLINGHAM
We have been given an allocation of 450 tickets for our visit to the New York Stadium. Gillingham supporters will be situated in the Mears South Stand, and tickets must be purchased via the Rotherham United website.
For ticket prices, coach travel and more, click here.
Streaming:
Domestic fans can pay for an audio pass, which are available to purchase for a one-off fee by clicking here.
Overseas fans have access to a video feed for a one-off fee with commentary from BBC Radio Kent.
Click here to buy.
Odds:
Rotherham United win - 10/11
Draw - 12/5
Gillingham win - 14/5
Match Officials:
Referee: William Davis
Assistants: Timothy Walker & Mark Cunliffe
Fourth Official: Joe Moss
