Goalkeeper Steve Arnold looks set to make his Gills debut in Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy tie against Southend.

A switch in goal is one of several changes that head coach Ady Pennock will make.

Defender Ben Nugent, who replaced the injured Gabriel Zakuani on Saturday, is also likely to make his first start.

Pennock said: “It does give others an opportunity.

“Ben Nugent will start and when he came on we could see, he is like Big Ben, he is a good size and a great attitude as well.

“I like the young lads playing as well to get first team minutes but we want to do well and we don’t want to take it lightly.”

Conor Wilkinson will feature as his three-game suspension for a red card in the league doesn’t count in the Trophy.

“It’s an opportunity for Conor to get some minutes under his belt,” said Pennock.

“There are funny rules in the competition and he can play.”

It means Wilkinson will then miss out again when the Gills host Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Tickets for Tuesday’s game cost £7 for adults, £5 for under-18s and seniors and free for under-12s. Kick-off is at 7.45pm and the tie will go to penalties if the match is drawn. Teams receive an extra point for winning the penalty shoot-out.

Gills are in a group which also includes Reading and Colchester.