Posh travel to Gillingham in Sky Bet League One action on Saturday - we look ahead to the game.
Peterborough United travel to Priestfield to face in-form Gillingham in Sky Bet League One action on Saturday afternoon (3pm) looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s narrow 1-0 home reverse to Southend United at the ABAX Stadium.
The Gills have been on an excellent run of form in recent weeks, which has seen them move away from the relegation zone at the foot of the division. They were beaten last time out, but that was at league leaders Wigan Athletic.
TEAM NEWS
Posh are without the services of Gwion Edwards due to a long-term ankle injury and defender Alex Penny has joined him on the sidelines. Penny dislocated his shoulder this week and is awaiting results on a scan to determine any further damage. He could be out for a week or up to three months.
Gillingham are expected to include former Posh defender Gabi Zakuani in their starting line-up. He has been in excellent form particularly in their recent surge up the league table and has won praise from his manager and the clubs supporters. Tom Eaves is another man in form – he has four goals from his last five games and will lead the line. Gills boss Steve Lovell has just won the League One Manager of the Month for January.
MCCANN QUOTES
“Gillingham are in excellent form and have demonstrated what can happen if you string a few results together. Steve Lovell has done really well there and it is always a tough place to go. Hopefully the weather will be kind to our supporters because they will be in that uncovered stand behind the goal. We have had a good week with the players and we are looking forward to the game.”
FROM THE OPPOSITION
“We didn’t have the best start to the season and work had to be done, but we just managed to get the players working hard together as a unit and fortunately enough it turned and we’ve had a decent run since then.
“It’s hard to put a finger on what has been behind the turnaround, it’s just playing players in positions where they could be the best for the team and for the football club and getting a mutual respect with them. They’re a really good bunch of players, they’ve worked hard and they are still doing that now,” Gills boss Steve Lovell said.
TICKET INFORMATION
Just under 300 tickets have been sold in advance for the League One clash. Tickets are on sale at www.theposhtickets.com, via the Ticketmaster hotline 0844 847 1934 (calls cost 7ppm plus your network access fee) and in person at the ABAX Stadium Box Office. The game is not all-ticket.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
The match referee is Craig Hicks.