Team news

Gillingham interim boss Steve Lovell has named an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Northampton.

The question will be whether he starts with wing-backs, as he did against Wigan, or kick off with a 4-4-2 formation which worked so well against the league leaders once they made an early change on Tuesday.

Bradley Garmston and Mark Byrne return to the squad after being rested for that match.

Luke O’Neill hasn’t made the squad, despite closing in on a return from injury. Ben Nugent and Alex Lacey remain sidelined.

Gillingham could climb out of the bottom four with a win, in a game chairman Paul Scally – still to choose a permanent manager - has labelled ‘incredibly important.’

Gillingham: Holy, Clare, Ogilvie, Zakuani, Ehmer, Hessenthaler, Bingham, Parker, Martin, List, Eaves. Subs: Nelson, Garmston, Wagstaff, Byrne, Chapman, Cundle, Wilkinson.

Northampton: Ingram, Poole, Taylor, Pierre, Buchanan, McWilliams, Grimes, Powell, O'Toole, Hoskins, Long. Subs: Cornell, Smith, Kasim, Bowditch, Foley, Waters, Richards.

Preview

Steve Lovell looks set to take charge once more as the Gills host struggling Northampton.

Lovell has revitalised the Gills since taking charge a week ago, leading the side to a draw and a win over high-flying opposition.

It's a different kind of test for Lovell and the Gills this weekend, however, facing a Northampton team in real trouble.

Northampton ended a three-game losing streak with a midweek draw against Rochdale. It was the first time they had scored in League 1 since a 2-2 draw at Southend in mid-September.

The Gills, with four points from their last two games, are two points ahead of Northampton and a win could lift them out of the bottom four. it would also, surely, seal Lovell's position as the club's next permanent manager.

Head to head;

Gills wins 40, draws 19, Peterborough wins 51

League form;

Gillingham (22nd): Wigan D 1-1 (H), Peterborough W 1-0 (A), Portsmouth L 0-1 (H), Blackburn L 0-1 (A), Scunthorpe D 0-0 (H), Rochdale L 0-3 (A).

Northampton (23rd): Rochdale (A) D 2-2, AFC Wimbledon L 0-1 (H), Bristol Rovers L 0-6 (H), Rotherham L 0-1 (A), MK Dons D 0-0 (A), Bradford L 0-1 (H).

Stat Attack

Click here for appearances, goals, discipline, ratings and profiles

The last meeting at the Priestfield;

Gillingham 2 Northampton Town 1

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas struck a stoppage-time winner for Gillingham when the sides met in November last year.

It was their first league win in eight, lifting them up to 17th in the table.

John-Joe O’Toole put the visitors in front and they came close to a second when JJ Hooper hit a post.

But it was all-square when Max Ehmer fired home early in the second half and QPR loanee Emmanuel-Thomas was on hand to clinch a late win.

Man in the middle – Ross Joyce

Games refereed this season: 14 (59 yellows / 1 red)

Ross Joyce came in for some stick on his visit to the Gills in April 2016, after failing to award them a penalty against Port Vale.

A high boot caught Deji Oshilaja as he went for goal, ending the player's afternoon. The referee did hand out five yellow cards to the Gills that day, as Justin Edinburgh's side lost 2-0.

This is only his third season refereeing in the Football League.

Assistants: Thomas Ramsey & George Warren. Fourth official7: Garry Maskell

One to watch – Chris Long

Big things were expected of the Burnley loanee when he arrived at Northampton on a season-long loan deal in the summer.

He returned from injury on Tuesday night to help end Northampton's losing streak. A hamstring strain had kept him out since the end of September.

Talking about his return to the team, boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said: "He’s committed and we need that steel in the team."

Goals have been in short supply for Northampton this season and Long, like everyone else, will be hoping for an upturn in form. His two goals so far both came in a 3-1 win over Portsmouth.

From the opposition camp;

It hasn't been a lot of fun supporting the Gills this season and Northampton fans haven't been impressed either.

This week their captain David Buchanan revealed that he had even been challenged to a fight.

He said: "A group of lads tried to offer me out for a fight. I said to them 'grow up, we're in this together'

"We'll move forward together. They were young lads and I don't want altercations with supporters."

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been in charge since the start of September, after Justin Edinburgh paid the price for their poor start with the sack.

A goal after 21 seconds and a win was a dream start. He followed that up with a 3-1 win over Portsmouth, but since then they've not won any of their league last games.

A 2-2 midweek draw with Rochdale has given Hasselbaink hope of getting back to winning ways.

He said: "We need to build on Tuesday night. We showed real fight and that must help our spirit and belief.

"Hopefully we can really start to kick on from here.

“Goals have obviously been a problem for us this season and we’ve spoken at length about the importance of everyone being able to contribute. It’s not just down to the strikers, we need goals from all areas of the team."

Last time out in the league;

Gillingham 1 Wigan 1

Tom Eaves returned from suspension with a goal in their draw against league leaders Wigan on Tuesday night.

Eaves headed the Gills infront 10 minutes after the interval, following Sean Clare's super cross, while Elliott List had en effort deflected off the woodwork.

Wigan captain Sam Morsy levelled the scores late, with a great strike, to deny Gillingham maximum points.

Click here for more pictures from Gills' draw against Wigan

Gills‘ results and fixtures – 2017/18

Gills team news;

Luke O'Neill is closing in on a Gills return.

He is the most likely of the injured defenders to return for the visit of Northampton.

Alex Lacey (ankle) and Ben Nugent (foot) are both struggling.

Mark Byrne (hamstring) and Bradley Garmston (calf) were both rested for the midweek game against Wigan, on the advice of the club's medical staff, but the pair have been cleared to play this Saturday.

Liam Nash and Jesse Starkey are both hoping to have impressed caretaker manager Steve Lovell and win a place back in the squad.

Nash's absence has led to some debate among fans. Lovell says it's down to the striker to prove his worth.

Talking point;

The management situation remains the hot topic at Priestfield and Steve Lovell has done his chances no harm.

Graham Westley was in the crowd on Tuesday night but it was Lovell's name that the Rainham End were singing.

Chairman Paul Scally says he has a shortlist of four and a decision shouldn't be too far away. Lovell will be hoping he gives the chairman little choice with another top performance on Saturday.

Last week's poll asked if Lovell should be given a chance and fans were divided, with 51% saying one game was enough. But after two great results, what now?

More on the Gills;

Lovell: I'm the man to take Gills forward

The Shouting Men with Darren Oldaker

Midweek reaction: Lovell disappointed not to win

Gills skipper: It's fun again

Fancy a punt?

The Gills are 6/4 with SkyBet to continue their good form under Steve Lovell and claim a win over Northampton. It's 12/5 for the draw and 7/4 an away win.

Gillingham have only scored eight goals in League 1 - lower than any other - and it's 15/2 for a 1-0 home win.

Tom Eaves has scored all five of his goals at home and all five infront of the Rainham End. Odds on a brace are 8/1. Strike partner Elliott List has come agonisingly close to a goal in his last two outings. He's 9/4 to score.

Follow kentonlinegills on twitter for match updates.

Beat the pundit: Find out what sports reporter Luke Cawdell and Sheppey boss Ernie Batten think will happen at the Gills and elsewhere this weekend.