Matt Lawrence will be available to play for Gillingham aganst Oxford United at the weekend despite picking up his fifth booking of the season on Tuesday night.

Reports had suggested the defender would be suspended after reaching the five-booking mark but Football Association guidelines, which were altered slightly this season, have been designed to be less severe.

Players picking up five bookings before December 31 will receive an automatic one match ban but after that date a player will only receive warning as to their future conduct.

If a player receives 10 cautions between the first day of the season and the second Sunday in April they will be banned for two games.

Lawrence picked up a booking late in the game against Stevenage by referee Andy Woolmer for a minor infringement.

The Gills are, however, likely to be without Josh Gowling for the match.

He left the ground with an ankle injury and is set to be replaced by Garry Richards on Saturday, with Simon King stepping up onto the bench.