Gillingham v Colchester

Nicky Southall returns from his one-month exile at Dover for Gillingham's Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second round match with Colchester on Tuesday.

The experienced midfielder played in the last six games for Andy Hessenthaler’s Ryman League Premier Division side and Gillingham manager Mark Stimson is ready to give the 36-year-old a chance to prove himself.

Stimson said: "The deal with him was to go and play a month’s worth of football. If he comes back fit and available then he would go straight back into the team on Tuesday night.

"We’ll then assess his game and decide what to do after that match. If he is available to play then we’ll play him."

Stimson is looking to make changes but admits injuries leave his options limited.

"We can’t have a lot of changes because we haven’t got a lot of fit bodies," he said.

On the injured list are Dennis Oli (foot), Gary Mulligan (knee), Adam Miller (back) and Luis Cumbers, who is recovering from tonsillitis.

Mark McCammon serves the last of a three-game ban and captain Andrew Crofts is missing as he links up with the Wales international party.

Gillingham were unlucky to lose to Colchester in the Carling Cup earlier this season and Stimson is keen to avenge that defeat.

"They’ve beaten us in one cup and let’s make sure they don’t make it two," he said.

Kick-off at Priestfield is at 7.45pm.

Click the audio link at the top of this page to hear Mark Stimson talking during Saturday's post-match press conference about Nicky Southall's return and owing Colchester for the Carling Cup defeat.