GILLINGHAM manager Mark Stimson explained his reasons for dropping several experienced campaigners for the trip to Tranmere.

Stimson left Mark Bentley, Nicky Southall, Delroy Facey and Ian Cox out of the side after all four had started for the Gills on Saturday.

The Gills boss said: “Mark Bentley has had a bit of a sore Achilles tendon in the last couple of games and tried to play through it.

"But on Saturday he was struggling and we decided to give him a couple of days rest.

“I don’t like resting players but he admitted he has not been as good as he can be in the last couple of games.

“I’ve given opportunities to Delroy but strikers are paid to score goals and if you look at the record of Delroy this season for the amount of minutes he’s played he’s not scored many goals.

“We’ve spoke like men and he needs to play regular football to keep his fitness and his sharpness.

“I’ve brought a right back into the club now as I thought we needed to improve in that area.

"Nicky Southall has decided that right back is not for him and he would prefer to play right wing which is where he’s played most of his career. I can understand where he’s coming from.”

Cox, who has recently returned following a long lay-off through injury was also missing, as Garry Richards was handed his debut in defence.