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Gillingham's on-loan Ipswich Town defender Elkan Baggott unavailable for Hartlepool match after being selected for Indonesia's friendly matches against Curacao

Gillingham will be without ever-present defender Elkan Baggott this weekend after his international call-up.

The Ipswich Town loanee has started every game for the Gills this season in all competitions but will miss the crucial League 2 trip to Hartlepool United after being selected in the Indonesian squad.

Elkan Baggott holds off a Mansfield player last Saturday. He's on international duty with Indonesia Picture: KPI
Elkan Baggott holds off a Mansfield player last Saturday. He's on international duty with Indonesia Picture: KPI

Baggott was born in Thailand but represents his mother’s country of Indonesia, where he has a huge following. The 19-year-old has played 12 senior games for the country and they face back-to-back friendly matches against Curacao, on Saturday and Tuesday.

His last appearance for Indonesia was in June when they beat Nepal 7-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier.

His absence means Gills manager Neil Harris will have to shuffle his back line. Will Wright will be keen for action after sitting on the bench without playing in the last two matches. Haji Mnoga - on loan from Portsmouth - could also be moved into the central role after two appearances at right-back.

Harris said: “We have got players who can flip between a back three and four, Will Wright is desperate to go back in, Haji was disappointed to come off at half-time the other day but understood why.

“I have to look at what is the best combinations in the shape I want to play and work off that. It is an opportunity for someone else to step up.”

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