Gillingham have decided to replace their pitch which means two home fixtures will need to be rescheduled.

The surface of the Priestfield pitch has been problematic for some time and the club have now decided to act.

Their home game against Peterborough United on Saturday will be the last on the current surface before renovation work begins, this Monday.

Chairman Paul Scally confirmed the work is to be undertaken and that negotiations are underway about moving the home league match against Blackpool and finding a new venue for their Checkatrade Trophy game against Tottenham’s under-21s.

Mr Scally said: “Work is scheduled to begin on Monday.

“As a result of the work, which will take little over a fortnight, our home match against Blackpool will have to be rearranged, while our match against Totteham in the Checkatrade Trophy will have to be played at another venue.”

Manager Steve Lovell was delighted with the news.

He said: “It’s fantastic news for us as coaching staff and our players that we will have a brilliant pitch to play on in the next couple of weeks. The type of football I like to play will be one that we will hopefully be able to produce at home, as well as away.”

The Blackpool home game was scheduled for Tuesday, October 2 and that game has been rearranged for Tuesday, November 6.

Gills’ Trophy game against Tottenham is set to remain on the same date, Tuesday, October 9, at a new venue, which could mean the game being played at another Football League club within the southeast.