Simon Royce returns between the sticks for Tuesday night’s Carling Cup match against Plymouth after losing the battle to claim the number one spot this season.

Alan Julian got the nod from manager Mark Stimson to start the season in goal and the Gills boss is hoping Royce will now rise to the challenge and try and get his place back.

“He (Julian) had an outstanding game at Crystal Palace, with a couple of saves and his distance on his kicking helps the team, especially where we haven’t got the biggest of teams. He kept a clean sheet (on Saturday) and he hasn’t done too much wrong.

“Royce will play Tuesday night. He didn’t take the news very well but that’s a good thing for me.

“It’s just a case that when he gets the news he takes it bad and then he carries on training and realises it’s a long season.

"It could happen to anyone in the team and its how you get over that little knock-back.”