The in-form Gills will again be depleted when they make the trek along the M4 to face rivals Swindon on Tuesday night.
The clashes with Paolo Di Canio’s men are always eagerly anticipated among Gills fans due to a rivalry stretching back 30 years – and with both teams hoping to be in the promotion shake-up this season, there is added importance to the fixture.
Both teams go into the clash having won their last two games and the Gills know that victory in Wiltshire could take them into the automatic promotion places.
For Swindon, the incentive is leapfrogging the Gills, possibly into the play-off places, as well as maintaining a decent home record, which has seen just one defeat so far in the league – although that was to the team they consider their fiercest rivals, Oxford.
The opposition:
Di Canio’s summer appointment has brought much focus on the Robins as they look to get back to League One at the first time of asking.
After a slow start – they lost five out of seven games in August – they are in good form, with just one defeat in their last six in all competitions.
At home, only Oxford have beaten the Robins, but they will want to improve on their last outing at the County Ground, when they were held to an improbable 3-3 draw by lowly Hereford.
Away form has been more of a struggle, but back-to-back wins over Accrington and Plymouth put them in good form before the Gills visit.
Big day for…
Every Gills player. The last three trips to Swindon have been dismal defeats, compounded by some pretty dismal performances. It’s about time that was rectified.
Vital Quotes:
Swindon Town Team News:
The Robins will be without striker Mehdi Kerrouche as he serves a one-match ban after being booked for the fifth time this season in the weekend win at Plymouth.
But Di Canio is unlikely to make too many more changes for the clash after his side’s good recent run.
Player to watch: Raffaele De Vita
Slowly finding his feet in League Two and the match winner on Saturday.
Gillingham Team News:
The Gills will be forced into at least two changes at the County Ground as Joe Martin and Lewis Montrose are banned after their weekend red cards.
Either Danny Jackman or skipper Andy Frampton – a former Swine loanee – will replace Martin at left-back, while Charlie Lee looks certain to replace Montrose in midfield.
Frank Nouble will be assessed before kick-off due to his knee injury, but Danny Kedwell could return after his toe injury.
Midfielder Jack Payne is back in training but won’t be risked, while Barry Fuller, Danny Spiller and Adam Birchall are long-term absentees.
Player to watch: Jo Kuffour
Superb again on Saturday, his movement will be a real test for the Swindon defence.
Next Fixtures:
Morecambe (A)
29/10/11
3pm
