Jackson has missed two penalties in a row, including this one against Southend

Simeon Jackson returns for Gillingham on Saturday from international duty and boss Mark Stimson believes the experience will give the striker an extra lift – despite enduring more heartache from the penalty spot.

Jackson had a penalty saved for Canada in their 3-0 defeat to Macedonia just a week after the Southend keeper denied him in the FA Cup.

Stimson feels the international week will only have a positive effect on his 11-goal leading scorer.

"It’s going to happen if you take a certain amount of penalties. You’re not going to score every one.

"If we got another penalty, I think he would take it. Last year, some of the penalties he took, his focus and the way he dispatched them was second to none.

"On Saturday I’m sure he would put the ball down and put it in the back of the net.

"He should come back with loads of confidence and with a spring in his step. He’s gone away with the national team and it’s something to be really proud of.

"I’ve never been away with my country but know people who have and they always come back with a nice spring in their step and full of life and rightly so."

Jackson, who came on as a second-half substitute for Canada in their 1-0 defeat in Poland on Wednesday night, returns along with Barry Fuller, who missed last week’s win over Oldham through suspension.

Stimson, though, knows it will be hard to drop players from a winning team.

"The boys did very well last weekend and it will be a tough call," he said.

"If any of the boys do get dropped from Saturday’s team then they will be rightly disappointed because they put in a good performance in difficult decisions. If everyone is fit and well, I know my team."

Garry Richards will be unavailable for the Gills this weekend after failing to shake off a groin injury picked up in last week’s practice game against Dagenham.