Stimson could tinker for cup clash

10 August 2009 12:38
The club picked up no new injuries in their impressive 5-0 thrashing of Swindon on the opening day but Stimson may be able to call upon midfielder Kevin Maher. Maher missed the opening-day rout because of a dead leg but could be passed fit to make his second Gills debut, although he may find his path to an instant return blocked by 17-year-old Jack Payne, who impressed in the holding midfield role against the Robins. There could also be a change in goal where Simon Royce may replace Alan Julian after Stimson hinted before the start of the season that whichever of his keepers did not get the nod for the Swindon game would start in the cup, although Royce's absence from training last week because his son is ill may alter Stimson's thinking. New signings Chris Palmer and Rashid Yussuff are also pushing for starts but the Gills are still without defender Simon King and midfielder Stuart Lewis (both ankle) and forward Dennis Oli (knee) although on-loan Carlisle centre-back Josh Gowling has been given permission to play in the competition. The Kent club have lost at this stage of the Carling Cup in each of the last three seasons, having not won a game in the competition since a 3-2 win over Premier League Portsmouth in September 2005.

Source: Team_Talk