Skipper Smith may not face Lions
Published: 10:53, 19 October 2004
GILLINGHAM travel to Millwall’s New Den tonight desperately searching for a way to kick-start their flagging season.
Five consecutive league defeats have seen Andy Hessenthaler’s side drop into the relegation zone. Their last win was back in August.
Gills, though, will be confident of getting something from the match as the Lions have taken just a point from the last six encounters between the two sides.
Last time the teams met Gillingham completed the double over the London side with Kevin James hitting an injury time winner to claim the points.
Gillingham new assistant manager John Gorman has had several weeks to assess the squad, and will be having a big hand in team selection tonight.
Skipper Paul Smith may struggle to be fit for the game after missing the defeat against Sheffield United with a groin injury picked up in training.
Despite making a return to training, Barry Ashby and Tommy Johnson are still lacking full match fitness.
Ian Cox is available once more after recovering from his international duties with Trinidad & Tobago, while John Robinson will be looking for his first start since moving from Cardiff last week.
Another midfielder aiming for a start will be Adam Nowland, with Hessenthaler keen on extending the player’s loan spell, as the current deal from West Ham runs out after the game.
Barry Hayles looks set to make his first start for Millwall after recovering from a rib injury which has kept him out for a month.
Gillingham (from): Banks, Brown, Cox, Southall, Hope, L Johnson, Nosworthy, Crofts, Spiller, Hessenthaler, Nowland, Robinson, Byfield, Henderson, Sidibe, Agyemang.
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Luke Cawdell