Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has demanded his team go 'full blast' as they chase a third straight League Two win against Bristol Rovers at Priestfield Stadium on Saturday. The Gills have climbed to 11th place on nine points after their recent victories over Rochdale and Tranmere, and now face a direct test against the division's second-placed side.
Ainsworth expects a physical battle against a Steve Evans-managed team. "A Steve Evans team will be organised, will be strong, they will run through brick walls, and will tackle hard," he said. "You have to do that in League Two." The manager's focus is on maintaining the positive mood built over the last fortnight. "We have got to be at our best again," Ainsworth added. "I want to go full blast. The training is good, the spirits are good, and hopefully, we can get another win."
Injury and suspension news
Gillingham will make late decisions on the fitness of forwards Ronan Hale and Will Goodwin. Hale was forced off with an ankle knock in the 2-0 win over Tranmere last weekend, while Goodwin is nearing a return after going off in the first half at Rochdale. Midfielder Harry Waldock is back in training after a stomach problem and could be in contention. For the visitors, Tommy Leigh is suspended following a red card against Grimsby, while defender Riley Harbottle is confirmed to miss the fixture. A late call will be made on Keenan Gough.
The Gills' recent form has been built on solid performances, going five games unbeaten with a record of two wins and three draws. Their last outing was a confident 2-0 home victory over Tranmere, with goals from Logan Dobbs and Ronan Hale. You can review the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page. That result followed a 4-1 away thrashing of Rochdale, where James Brophy scored twice.
Bristol Rovers arrive having seen a four-game winning streak snapped by a 2-0 loss at Grimsby Town. That defeat dropped them to second, level on points with leaders Barnet but behind on goal difference. They will be aiming to bounce back and claim a second away win of the campaign. This will be the 113th meeting between the clubs, with Rovers historically holding a narrow edge with 47 wins to Gillingham's 44.
The most famous recent encounter between the sides came in February 2010, when a goalless game at Priestfield was decided in added time. Substitute Simeon Jackson latched onto a Chris Dickson flick, cut inside and drove a low shot into the bottom corner for a dramatic winner. Saturday's referee will be Sunny Singh Gill, assisted by Jonathon Block and Anthony Da Costa.
With key players potentially returning, Ainsworth is hopeful of adding to his squad options for a key period. The match kicks off at 3pm at MEMS Priestfield Stadium, with home tickets available online or in person until kick-off. Fans can check the latest standings to see how the table shapes up after this weekend's results.
More detail at Gillingham Football Club
