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Gills manager Peter Taylor takes his squad to Dartford before Saturday's Priestfield test against Championship Ipswich

Gillingham battle for possession against Welling on Saturday. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Gillingham battle for possession against Welling on Saturday. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham will step up pre-season preparations after their friendly at Dartford.

Gills travel to Princes Park on Tuesday night (7.30pm) with boss Peter Taylor set to stick with his policy of fielding a different team for each half.

He’ll change his approach at home to Championship Ipswich on Saturday but it’s nothing to do with the quality of Mick McCarthy’s side.

Taylor said: “Everybody will have 45 against Dartford and we’ll think about 90 when we play Ipswich.

“It’s nothing to do with the opposition. It’s just that once we’re five or six matches in, they’re going to need to play 90 minutes before we play MK Dons.”

There are still places up for grabs in Taylor’s side for the opening match of the League 1 season.

He added: “There’s no need for me to worry about the team until August 9 at 3pm, or 2pm, when I have to put it in.

“The door's not shut on any player and it's up to them to show me."

“The door’s not shut on any player and it’s up to them to show me. We’ve still got another four matches to go.”

Leon Legge is set to return at Dartford after missing the Welling game due to the birth of his baby.

Brennan Dickenson and Bradley Dack turned awkwardly at Welling but should be fit to face Dartford.

Joe Martin (ankle) and Aaron Morris (knock) may feature but Josh Pritchard (ankle) remains sidelined.

The Dartford game will be Gills’ fourth friendly against Kent opposition and Taylor enjoys visiting the county’s non-league clubs as they gear up for the League 1 opener.

He said: “It’s something we like to do. Bromley and Folkestone have been good, competitive matches and Welling was the same.”

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