Gillingham’s League Cup match against Newcastle is set to become a money-spinner.

And chairman Paul Scally hopes to be able to inject some of the proceeds into Peter Taylor’s transfer budget.

Season ticket holders had until Wednesday to guarantee their seat for the first round match at Priestfield on Tuesday night.

Tickets are now on general sale and selling fast.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are set to bring a large following to Priestfield, having been given an allocation of 1,295.

Mr Scally said: “I would hope it will be sold out. It’s a game where if you don’t come very often you would want to come to this one.

“We haven’t played them for a long time, they are a decent side and it would be a good test for our players.

“(The gate receipts) are all added income and it is not income we’ve budgeted for. That will go straight into the playing pot, as will any other incremental income will go to.

“If we had been knocked out at Yeovil then there wouldn’t be a second round tie so there wouldn’t be any income.”

Gillingham last played Newcastle in 1977, with the north east side winning the League Cup tie 2-1.

They are currently managed by Alan Pardew and Mr Scally has already been in touch with the Newcastle manager.

“Alan Pardew is a very good friend of mine,” said the Gills chairman.

“I was straight on the phone to him. He will be coming to win the game and we want to go out and win the game.

“It’s a good competition to be in and if you can draw a home game against a Premier League team, or even away, it adds that extra touch to it.”

Fans can book their tickets online, on the club’s website, or from the ticket office in Redfern Avenue.