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Match preview: Plymouth Argyle v Gillingham (Home Park, 3pm kick off)

Team news;

Ben Nugent has been chosen to partner Max Ehmer in the centre of Gills’ defence.

Boss Steve Lovell isn’t short of options and has picked fit-again Nugent ahead of experienced man Gabriel Zakuani, who is named on the bench.

As expected, Conor Wilkinson has missed out through injury, with Lovell choosing to go for Josh Parker as the man to join Tom Eaves in attack.

Jake Hessenthaler misses out in the starting XI for the first time under Lovell, in the league. Lee Martin has shaken off a hamstring to ensure he is there to captain the side from the off.

Gillingham: Holy, O’Neill, Ogilvie, Nugent, Ehmer, Clare, Byrne, Wagstaff, Martin, Eaves, Parker. Subs: Nelson, Lacey, Hessenthaler, Zakuani, Oldaker, List, Cundle.

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Preview;

Gillingham are on the road again this weekend but that won't bother manager Steve Lovell.

All three of his League 1 victories so far have come away from Priestfield.

the Gills have won at Peterborough, Rotherham United and Walsall under Lovell.

Gills boss Steve Lovell. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Gills boss Steve Lovell. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham will be hoping that form continues against Plymouth, a team sitting bottom of League 1, but just three points adrift of Lovell's men.

Win and the Gills should pull clear of the bottom four, lose and they will be dragged right back into the mire.

Head to head;

Gills: 28 Draws: 16 Plymouth: 31

League Form;

Gills: D 0-0 Oldham (h), D 1-1 Blackpool (a), W 1-0 Walsall (a), D 1-1 Bury (h), W 3-1 Rotherham (a), L 1-2 Northampton Town (h).

Plymouth: L 0-1 Portsmouth (a), W 2-0 Northampton (h), L 0-4 Oxford United (h), W 1-0 Bradford City (a), D 1-1 Rochdale (h), W 1-0 AFC Wimbledon (a).


Click here for season stats and player profiles


Last meeting at Home Park;

Plymouth 2 Gillingham 2

Adam Barrett celebrates scoring against Plymouth in 2012 Picture: Barry Goodwin
Adam Barrett celebrates scoring against Plymouth in 2012 Picture: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham twice came from behind to earn a point on their last visit to Plymouth in the league.

Gillingham were a goal down on 33 minutes, with a goal from Curtis Nelson, but moments later Ben Strevens struck back for the visitors in the League 2 clash.

Plymouth struck again with 10 minutes left through Luke Young, but Gills skipper Adam Barrett levelled it up with two minutes remaining.

From the opposition camp;

Plymouth have signed Derby goalkeeper Kelle Roos on an emergency loan and he's set to become the seventh different player to wear the keeper shirt this season, when he faces the Gills on Saturday.

Roos arrives following an injury to Luke McCormack, the latest in a number of problems for the team in that department.

He will be the fourth different keeper in their last four games.

McCormick joins Robbert Te Loeke and Kyle Letheren on the treatment table. Will Mannion played in their midweek Trophy game but has been recalled by Hull City, who were expecting McCormick to return to goal.

Argyle have limited to backup should Roos - a League 2 play-off final winner against Plymouth back in 2016 - develop a problem this weekend, with youngsters Michael Cooper or Max Childs the choices for manager Derek Adams.

One to watch - Graham Carey;

The Irish midfielder was one of the stand-out players in League 2 last season, helping Argyle finish second in the division.

He agreed a new deal in the summer and has continued to impress despite his team struggling this time around.

Jordan Carey and Plymouth faced the Gills in the League Cup in August 2015, losing 2-1 Picture: Barry Goodwin
Jordan Carey and Plymouth faced the Gills in the League Cup in August 2015, losing 2-1 Picture: Barry Goodwin

Carey was named the League 1 player-of-the-month back in October, scoring a couple of crackers, against Blackburn and Shrewsbury.

“I’m not afraid to shoot," he said. "The manager gives me the green light to take on shots."

He scored 15 goals from midfield last season and has another five to his name this time around, along with five assists.

Man in the middle - Darren Handley;

Games: 21 (Yellows 62, Reds 3)

Darren Handley's last game in charge of the Gills ended with him awarding Sheffield United a last minute penalty, from which they scored and won.

But there were no complaints for the Gills that day, making the easiest decision he will have had all season.

Josh Pask consoled by Deji Oshilaja after conceding an injury-time penalty, a decision referee Darren Handley didn't have hard to think about Picture: Ady Kerry
Josh Pask consoled by Deji Oshilaja after conceding an injury-time penalty, a decision referee Darren Handley didn't have hard to think about Picture: Ady Kerry

Loan defender Josh Pask decided to reach out for the ball, a clear violation, leading to a spot-kick that was dispatched by Billy Sharp.

Assistants: Justin Amey & Adrian Tranter. Fourth official: Louis Marks

Last time out;

Gillingham 1 Carlisle United 1

Conor Wilkinson surges forward. Picture: Andy Jones
Conor Wilkinson surges forward. Picture: Andy Jones

Gillingham face an FA Cup replay in Carlisle after being held to a draw at Priestfield.

The winner will host Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in round three.

Luke O’Neill put the Gills ahead after just five minutes, with a sweetly struck free-kick, but Danny Grainger levelled from the penalty spot.

Gillingham had the majority of possession in the second half but couldn’t find the quality to net a winner.

More on the Gills;

Express yourself: Josh Parker on playing under Steve Lovell

Column: The Shouting Men with Gills defender Max Ehmer

Lovell: Time to get ruthless

Gills team news;

Conor Wilkinson is set to miss out for the Gills for the game at Plymouth.

He went off injured at half-time during the Checkatrade Trophy match with Oxford.

Captain Lee Martin (hamstring) will also be assessed before being risked.

Stats from kickoff.co.uk;

Stats provided by kickoff.co.uk. Visit the website here

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