THE CHALKBOARD

SWINDON Town have largely opted to field a diamond midfield in recent matches and should they do that again against Gillingham, it will be a case of like for like at the Priestfield Stadium.

Gills boss Justin Edinburgh likes that formation as it gets the best out of free-scoring midfielder Bradley Dack, while defender Aaron Morris is more than happy to stay deep in the anchor role in front of the back four.

Edinburgh is not one to tinker with his team too much - although the one place he does like to switch things up is with his left-sided midfielder.

The Gills chief usually rotates between club captain Doug Loft and Jake Hessenthaler, and as the skipper played in the shock loss at Blackpool last time out, expect Hessenthaler to be picked against Town.

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Justin Edinburgh

LIKELY LINE-UP

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A MAN IN FORM: Bradley Dack

A BIG reason why Gillingham are pushing so hard for promotion this season can be attributed to the form of Bradley Dack.

Playing at the head of a diamond midfield, Dack has the licence to roam free and attack opposition defences and has wreaked havoc on many occasions this term.

Town know only too well how dangerous he can be, as Dack made full use of the space gifted to him at the County Ground on Boxing Day to rifle home the Gills’ equaliser from outside the box as they came back to win 3-1.

That was one of 14 goals he has notched from midfield this season, form that has attracted attention from the Championship.

Bristol City tried to sign him in an effort to help their fight against relegation but saw a £2million bid turned down on transfer deadline day.

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Bradley Dack

TREATMENT ROOM

THE Gills’ squad is looking pretty healthy at present, with manager Justin Edinburgh having just a couple of injuries to worry about.

Striker Cody McDonald has not played since he broke a bone in his foot in the game against Millwall on December 19.

Although it was initially feared he would be ruled out for the remainder of the season, Edinburgh this week said McDonald’s recovery was going well and gave hope that he would play again before the summer.

Bradley Garmston is another who is likely to miss out because of a hamstring injury.

The full-back sat out last Saturday’s defeat at Blackpool and although he has progressed well, the Town game is thought to be a week too early.
Edinburgh swooped to bring in Adam Chicksen on loan from Brighton as cover during the window.

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Cody McDonald

OPPO FORM GUIDE

Sat, Jan 2

Skybet League One

3-0 win v Bradford (H)

Thurs, Jan 7

Skybet League One

3-2 loss v Wigan (A)

Sat, Jan 16

Skybet League One

2-2 draw v Doncaster (A)

Sat, Jan 23 

Skybet League One

2-1 win v peterborough (H)

Sat, Jan 30

Skybet League One

1-0 loss v Blackpool (A)

GOALSCORERS

BRADLEY DACK: 14

RORY DONNELLY: 10

DOMINIC SAMUEL: 5

DISCIPLINE

JOSH WRIGHT: 3Y, 1R

DOUG LOFT: 2Y, 1R

RYAN JACKSON: 8Y

THE STAT

Town have not won a league game at Gillingham for 30 years - a 3-1 win in December 1986.