Gillingham V Northampton at MEMS Priestfield Stadium : Match Preview

28 January 2013 16:01
Gillingham V Northampton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Lee faces late fitness test

Charlie Lee will be checked over ahead of Gillingham's clash against promotion rivals Northampton as second meets third in npower League Two at Priestfield.

The versatile midfielder was on the end of a nasty clash of heads with 25 minutes remaining in Saturday's 1-1 draw against York.

With all three substitutions already made, manager Martin Allen made the tough decision to stick with Lee and not play the remainder of the match with 10 men having considered advice from both the club's medical staff and also Lee himself.

Lee is expected to be okay for Tuesday's clash but Allen will want to take no further risks.

New loan signing Cody McDonald stepped off the bench to rescue the late point against the Minstermen and he is now pushing for a start.

As are the likes of Myles Weston, Deon Burton and Matt Fish having been dropped to the bench for the encounter.

The Gills go into the clash knowing victory will see them regain top spot from Port Vale although they have taken only two points from their last five matches on home soil.

New signing Emmanuel Oyeleke will go straight into the Northampton squad.

Oyeleke, a 20-year-old who is comfortable playing anywhere across the midfield or at full-back, joined the Cobblers on Monday on a one-month loan deal from Brentford and he is expected to make his debut for Aidy Boothroyd's side at Priestfield.

Leading scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa will hope to be recalled against his former club after the 15-goal striker had to settle for a place on the bench at Aldershot six days ago.

David Artell was also among the substitutes in Hampshire after over three months out with an Achilles injury but the experienced centre-half is still not quite match fit.

Full-back John Johnson, who has spent several weeks on the sidelines due to a knee injury, is set to resume training and is close to a return to action.

Source: PA