Gillingham v Colchester

GILLINGHAM manager Neale Cooper has selected just one striker for his first competitve game in charge of the club against Colchester at Priestfield this afternoon.

Cooper was expected to hand new signing Paul Shields his debut, but he has opted play Darren Byfield up front on his own with Shields having to settle for a place on the bench.

Danny Spiller, who has recovered from injury, will play just behind Byfield, who has been in rich goal-scoring form in pre-season.

Danny Jackman makes his Gills debut, although it looks as though he will play at left back due to the injury to other new signing Tom Williams.

Former boss Andy Hessenthaler starts in the midfield.

Jason Brown has been selected in goal after Steve Banks failed to recover from a groin injury in time for the match.

Gillingham: Brown, Rose, Cox, Hope, Jackman, Crofts, Hessenthaler, Flynn, Pouton, Spiller, Byfield. Subs: Knowles, Johnson, Jarvis, Corneille, Shields.