Gillingham V Northampton at MEMS Priestfield Stadium : Match Preview

28 December 2012 15:01
Gillingham V Northampton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Allen considers reshuffle

Gillingham boss Martin Allen will be pondering changes ahead of the club's home clash against Northampton.

The npower League Two leaders were made to pay for a below-par first-half performance against struggling Barnet on Boxing Day as they were beaten 1-0 at Priestfield.

The Gills did improve after the break, helped by a triple substitution on the hour mark, and Chris Whelpdale, Jack Payne and Adam Birchall are now firmly in contention to start against the Cobblers.

The likes of Danny Kedwell, Ben Strevens and Andy Frampton are also pushing for inclusion as the Kent outfit aim to get back to winning ways.

Allen is not expected to have any injury or suspension concerns as the Gills look to stretch a lead which has been cut to just two points at the top of the table.

Leading scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa is expected to go straight back into the Northampton line-up.

Akinfenwa, who joined the Cobblers from the Kent club in the summer of 2011, will hope to add to his 14 goals this season on his return from a one-match suspension.

Ishmel Demontagnac is the man most likely to make way for the big striker. Demontagnac was recalled against Aldershot last Saturday but substituted at half time during the 2-0 win at Sixfields.

Northampton's Boxing Day fixture at AFC Wimbledon was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch but manager Aidy Boothroyd believes it might have been a blessing in disguise, saying: "There were a few of the lads nursing knocks who might not have played, while Luke Guttridge was set to be in the squad for the first time since recovering from injury and he will have a few more days to prepare."


Source: PA