Team news;

With illness getting the better of both of Gillingham’s senior left-backs Callum Reilly has been chosen to fulfil the role.

He comes into the side after missing out against his parent club Bury last time out.

Connor Ogilvie misses out completely after picking up a bug while Bradley Garmston has been named on the bench.

Striker Tom Eaves keeps his place, despite being subbed before the break in Gills’ previous match, at Bury.

A poor first half from all concerned led to defeat that day and a positive start had been demanded by the boss Steve Lovell, in a bid to get back to their best.

Scott Wagstaff also returns to the starting XI, the second of two changes, coming into a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Teams;

Portsmouth: McGee, Walkes, Clarke, Burgess, Ronan, Whatmough, Donohue, Lowe, Naismith, Deslandes, Close. Subs: Basss, Kennedy, Chaplin, May, Smith, Widdrington, Haunstrup.

Gillingham: Holy, O’Neill, Ehmer, Zakuani, Reilly, Byrne, Hessenthaler, Martin, Wagstaff, Parker, Eaves. Subs: Garmston, Wilkinson, Nugent, List, Hadler, Nasseri, Moussa.

Preview;

Gillingham will be taking an army of fans with them as they aim to keep alive their play-off hopes this weekend.

Hopes of a top six finish remain, albeit slim, but it hasn't stopped over 1,500 Gillingham fans snapping up tickets for the match.

It will be Gills' first visit to Fratton Park since 2005 and they head there looking for a first ever win in Portsmouth.

Gillingham lost to Bury last time on their travels but have already enjoyed plenty of success on the road.

With wins at Scunthorpe, Charlton, Rotherham and Peterborough, they won't be fearing a trip to Portsmouth, a team who are also hanging onto slim hopes of a play-off challenge.

Head to head;

Gills wins: 6 Draws: 7 Portsmouth wins: 18

League form;

Gillingham (LDDWDL): Bury (a) 1-2, Shrewsbury (a) 1-1, Walsall (h) 0-0, Northampton (a) 2-1, Peterborough (h) 1-1, Wigan (a) 0-2.

Portsmouth (LWLLWD): Blackpool (h) 0-2, Fleetwood (a) 2-1, Southend (a) 1-3, Blackburn (h) 1-2, MK Dons (a) 2-1, Doncaster (h) 2-2.

Last meeting at Fratton Park;

Jan 8, 2005 – Portsmouth 1 Gillingham 0 (FA Cup)

It’s been 13 years since the last time Gillingham played at Fratton Park.

Stan Ternent was in charge of the Gills back then as domestically they were fighting off the threat of relegation.

An FA Cup trip to Portsmouth offered no relief from their troubles, heading there with a number of injury issues.

Aiyegbeni Yakubu scored the only goal, shortly after the break, from Patrik Berger's cross.

The Gills claimed the goal was offside. Diomansy Kamara and Berger both hit the woodwork for Portsmouth. Keeper Steve Banks also made several great saves to keep Gillingham in with a chance.

Last time out;

Bury 2 Gillingham 1

Gillingham were second best to bottom side Bury at Gigg Lane a fortnight ago.

The Gills turned in a poor first half performance which left them two goals down.

Connor Ogilvie headed in for the Gills after the break, giving them hope with 20 minutes left, but Bury held on for a deserved win.

Boss Steve Lovell, reacting to the defeat, said: "It wasn’t a very good performance in the first half but you’re not going to perform miracles every weekend.

"Bury are fighting for their lives and over the 90 minutes I think they deserved their three points. The damage was done in the first half by conceding two goals.”

Man in the middle - Carl Boyeson;

Games: 28 Yellows: 76 Reds: 10

Carl Boyeson was last in charge of a Gills game at the end of October, when Steve Lovell's men enjoyed a 3-1 win at Scunthorpe.

He was also the man in the middle when the Gills won at Rotherham, that game also ending in a 3-1 win.

The official isn't afraid to get his red card out, dismissing 10 players in his final 19 games of last season, continuing to regularly stamp his authority of games during this campaign, with another 10 seeing red.

Assistants: Matt Eva and John Farries. Fourth official: Mark Pottage.

Team news;

Gillingham are waiting on the fitness of both senior left-backs.

Connor Ogilvie and Bradley Garmston both missed training in the week through illness. They were sent home to ensure it didn't spread. Read more here.

Loan man Callum Reilly comes back into the reckoning after being unable to play against his parent club Bury, last time out.

Alex Lacey is back in full training but still a fortnight away from being up for selection.

From the opposition camp;

Portsmouth have seven players unavailable this weekend, including captain and leading scorer Brett Pitman.

Pitman has 15 goals to his name but won't be troubling the Gills this weekend, out with a hamstring injury.

Gills boss Steve Lovell said: "All teams have got their game winners haven’t they? He (Pitman) is one of theirs but they seem to have done alright without him, with the other two boys upfront.

"They are a good side, it will be a pretty open game, it will be very exciting and I can’t wait."

Also missing for the home side is Gareth Evans (hamstring) and Nathan Thompson (suspended).

Pompey boss Kenny Jackett - rumoured to be a manager target for the Gills last summer - hasn't ruled out a play-off finish but, speaking to the Portsmouth News, admitted it would take a big push now.

He said: "To get up into the mid-70s points-wise we need to win seven or eight on a high number of consecutive games.

‘You can do it, you can win consecutive games, particularly at a club like this where you need a really good performance to spark it off.

‘We won nine out of 11 games earlier this season – and we need that type of run again to get over other people in the table.’

One to watch - Jamal Lowe;

The 23-year-old winger could be the man to unlock Gills' defence on Saturday.

Lowe has been with Pompey since January last year, joining from Hampton & Richmond. His form, with a number of livewire performances, led to a new contract being agreed earlier this year.

His pace out wide, the ability to take players on and crossing will mean he's likely to be a constant worry for the Gills.

He was recently on the scoresheet for Pompey, scoring in their 2-1 win at Fleetwood.

Fancy a flutter?

Portsmouth are the 17/20 favourites to win on Saturday with bookmakers William Hill.

It’s 12/5 the draw and 17/5 for the Gills to claim all three points.

The Gills have suffered 1-0 defeats at Portsmouth on their last two visits but a reverse scoreline and a single-goal victory for Steve Lovell’s men is priced at 9/1.

With the Gills manager hoping for better results from set-plays, Gabriel Zakuani to score the opener at 40/1 could be tempting.