Gillingham manager Steve Lovell wants to retain settled side for FA Cup replay at Carlisle
Published: 00:00, 19 December 2017
Gillingham boss Steve Lovell won’t make changes for Tuesday's FA Cup clash at Carlisle unless he has to.
Several players picked up knocks in the weekend win over Bristol Rovers and that could force his hand.
The trip to Carlisle for the second round FA Cup replay is quickly followed by a league game at Fleetwood on Friday.
Lovell said: “There are a couple of boys carrying knocks, but I don’t want to change it too much. I don’t want to change it at all if I don’t have to.
“I want to go and put a team out to take us into the third round.”
Connor Ogilvie will return to the squad after illness but Sean Clare is one of those who will be assessed, landing awkwardly on his back. Goalscorer Mark Byrne also picked up a slight knock.
“I am not going to take boys away who are not right to travel,” said Lovell.
“We have two games coming up in four days but the squad is decent in numbers. Some of the others who haven’t been playing could get a run out in the next two or three games.
“Whoever I pick (on Tuesday) I know they will work hard and give everything, that’s all you can ask. I am pretty sure that whatever team I pick will be good enough to get a result.”
Conor Wilkinson was back at the weekend following an injury while Bradley Garmston came off the bench, making his first appearance since October.
Lovell said: “We have a lot of games coming up, everyone is going to be needed and it is important to get those players back.”
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Luke Cawdell