Gillingham V Hereford at KRBS Priestfield Stadium : Match Preview

Hess to make changes Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler is set to shuffle his ranks for the visit of struggling Hereford. Midfielder Jack Payne was forced off with an ankle injury at half-time in last Saturday's 4-3 defeat at Accrington - the club's second loss by the same scoreline in successive weekends. He is rated as doubtful, as is full-back Charlie Lee (illness) and striker Dennis Oli (concussion). Defenders Simon King and Matt Fish (both ankle) also continue to miss out. But midfielder Chris Whelpdale is expected to return to contention after a knee problem while defender Matt Lawrence also makes his comeback having been rested last weekend. First-choice goalkeeper Ross Flitney was replaced by Paulo Gazzaniga at half-time against Stanley with Gills 4-1 down, and Hessenthaler must decide who gets the nod between the sticks. Youngsters Connor Essam and Jack Evans have also been recalled from their loan spells with non-league sides Dartford and Welling respectively and are pushing for involvement at Priestfield. Hereford will be without five players. Midfielder Harry Pell has been struck down with a knee injury while striker Richard Peniket is also carrying an ankle knock ahead of the clash at Priestfield. The pair join defenders Stefan Stam (knee) and Joe Heath (groin) as well as midfielder Simon Clist (groin) on the sidelines. Manager Jamie Pitman does, however, welcome back defender Benoit Dalibard after the Frenchman completed his three-match suspension with last weekend's 2-0 derby defeat to Shrewsbury. Play-off chasing Gillingham themselves went down to a 4-3 loss for the second successive weekend and Pitman is expecting a close encounter in Kent. He told Press Association Sport: "They're going to be a wounded animal after last week and the disappointment of all that, but this league has got so much better, even from the short time I've been in here. Every team is getting better. "So every game you go into - I think this is probably the one league where you think it could go either way whether you're top, middle or bottom because it's such a tough league."

Gillingham V Hereford - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.

Source: PA

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