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Gillingham have fully fit squad to face high flying Lincoln City

Louis Walker 376 Views ,  , 

Following their three rapid goals that turned the match against Swindon Town around Gillingham FC will now be looking towards Tuesday’s away league 1 fixture against high flying Lincoln City.

The Imps have had a good season and find themselves in 3rd only a point off second, well on their way to securing a play-off place. It looks to be a tough fixture for the Gills, but they still walk into this one with every chance of a good result.

Going into this one The Gills don’t have any major injury issues. Although, picking up a knock against Fleetwood, Ryan Jackson still managed 90 minutes against Swindon on Saturday.

It is likely that Gill’s manager Steve Evans will resist the urge to make any changes instead keeping the same starting eleven for the sixth match running.

“We’ll be making changes in attacking areas. It’s about winning games.” Steve Evans

The same cannot be said for Lincoln City who will continue to monitor the fitness of Adam Jackson ahead of the Tuesday night fixture. Speaking in his pre-match press conference Lincoln manager Michael Appleton said, “We’ve been aware of that [the calf issue] for a couple games and he’s been touch and go”.

The loss of Jackson would be a major blow for the Imps who have already lost Joe Walsh for the rest of the season to a torn calf muscle.

Without Jackson a call could be made to Spurs loanee TJ Eyoma who could fill in next to Lewis Montsma at centre back. Mainly featuring at right back this season, it could be a big opportunity for Eyoma to show his versatility in this other defensive role.

Appleton could also consider throwing Remy Howarth or captain Liam Bridcutt into the starting line up as both have just returned from injury.

Coming into this one Gillingham look the better side picking up 10 points from their last 5 games. Being just 4 points off the play offs the time is certainly now if a late charge is to be made to get Gillingham into the top six.

Speaking in his pre match press conference before the away fixture to Swindon Town, Steve Evans said, “We will not be taking a draw and if we’re drawing in the late stages, we’ll be making changes in attacking areas. It’s about winning games.”

In comparison Lincoln are backed by poor form only picking up 5 points from the last five games. With Sunderland, Doncaster and Ipswich all closing in rivals will definitely have their eyes on this fixture.

As the gap from first to sixth is only being 14 points this would be a big three points in the race for promotion.

Being over a week since Lincoln’s last game, they could prey on the potential tired legs of Gillingham who have only had three days to prepare since their last fixture.

 

Priestfield stadium Photo credit: Keith J. Last

The last time these two teams played each other Gillingham suffered a staggering 3-0 defeat.

Although looking potent in attack managing 6 shots on target and 24 crosses, the Gils failed to convert anything leaving Priestfield empty handed as the Imps dominated possession on their way to a resounding victory.

Overall, it looks to be an exciting fixture with Gillingham looking to continue this late charge for a promotion place, with Vadaine Oliver firing and Lincoln still questioning their defensive line up it looks like Gillingham have every chance of a result on Tuesday night.

 

Feature picture credit: Unsplashed.com