Aldershot v Gillingham preview

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Aldershot are not expected to have any new injury or suspension concerns.

Newly-appointed boss Andy Scott watched his side pick up a point from a goalless draw at Chesterfield in midweek, extending his unbeaten start in the Shots hot seat to two matches following last weekend’s victory over Fleetwood.

Midfielder Danny Rose and left-back Anthony Tonkin both came back into contention and duly forced their way into Scott’s XI, along with striker Craig Reid.

Asa Hall, Adam Mekki and Aaron Morris dropped to the bench and all three will be pushing for recalls against the Gills.

Scott will also assess Lionel Ainsworth, Troy Brown and Jeff Goulding to see whether any of the trio are fit enough.

League Two leaders Gillingham hope to boast a fully-fit squad for their trip.

Gills assistant boss John Schofield admits a few unnamed players are nursing bumps and bruises following Tuesday’s disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Oxford but he is hopeful of having everyone available.

Forward Myles Weston was forced off due to a foot injury in the first half while right-back Matt Fish (ankle) and midfielders Charlie Allen (wrist) and Andy Frampton (concussion) missed the game altogether.

Danny Kedwell made his return as a second-half substitute against the U’s following his hamstring problems.

Gillingham, who boast a two-point lead at the top of the table, have taken 16 points from the last 18 on offer away from Priestfield.

Aldershot v Gillingham preview

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Jamie Day comes into the reckoning for his Aldershot debut.

The left-sided defender and midfielder arrived on loan from Crawley on Thursday and could well make Dean Holdsworth’s starting XI.

Holdsworth is certain to be considering changes after watching his side require a 78th-minute equaliser from substitute Michael Rankine to salvage a 1-1 draw in last weekend’s FA Cup first-round tie at non-league Maidenhead.

First-choice goalkeeper Ross Worner serves the second game of his three-match suspension, meaning Jamie Young will again start between the sticks.

Fit-again Alex Rodman is in contention to start having returned to the bench last Saturday after recovering from his shoulder injury. The forward was one of two half-time substitutes, along with Rankine, as Holdsworth tried to add fresh impetus to his side.

However, striker Bradley Bubb, who also stepped off the bench in the second half, is unavailable having joined Blue Square Bet South outfit Basingstoke on loan until January.

Danny Kedwell is a serious doubt for Gillingham but fellow strikers Jo Kuffour and Frank Nouble come back into contention.

Kedwell, having only recently returned from a toe problem, is again struggling with a similar injury and looks likely to miss out.

But manager Andy Hessenthaler is compensated by the returns of Kuffour and Nouble after the on-loan duo were refused permission by their parent clubs to feature in last weekend’s 3-3 FA Cup draw at Bournemouth.

Skipper Andy Frampton picked up his fifth booking of the season in the first-round tie at Dean Court and so serves an automatic one-match suspension against Shots.

Fellow defender Garry Richards (hamstring) is expected to be available having returned to training while first-choice goalkeeper Ross Flitney, who also missed out against the Cherries, has received a painkilling injection and will look to train ahead of the clash before being assessed.

Long-term absentees Barry Fuller (knee), Danny Spiller (ankle) and Adam Birchall (knee) remain sidelined.

Aldershot v Gillingham preview

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Aldershot are waiting on the fitness of midfielder Alex Rodman.

A calf injury picked up in training at the back end of last week ruled Rodman out of the 2-1 defeat to Port Vale on Saturday but manager Dean Holdsworth is hopeful that the winger can return.

On-loan Lincoln man Albert Jarrett made his first start for the club at the weekend in Rodman’s place and is on standby to keep his place.

Striker Luke Medley will be in the squad after he signed on a one-month loan from Mansfield but winger Jermaine McGlashan is likely to be on the bench at best as he tries to shake off his shin splints.

Midfielder John Halls has returned from a long-term groin problem while Jack Randall broke his leg while on loan at Didcot Town recently and is a long-term absentee.

Defender Josh Gowling could return to the Gillingham squad.

The centre-back has missed the last five games with an ankle problem and despite missing the goalless draw with Shrewsbury at the weekend, could be in the squad to face the Shots.

Winger Andy Barcham is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up following two substitute appearances since returning from a similar problem, while striker Denis Oli is also pushing for a start.

Midfielder Mark Bentley is expected to be on the bench once again despite his request for a loan move being accepted by manager Andy Hessenthaler, but club captain Simon King will miss out once again with an ongoing ankle problem.

Midfielders Joe Martin (cheekbone) and Chris Palmer (knee) remain sidelined, while defender Connor Essam (ankle) is also unavailable.