Gillingham Preview

By Aston
August 6 2004

The new football season is finally upon us, Ipswich Town start of against Gillingham at Portman Road, Gillingham bringing a familiar foe with them.

Gillingham Preview

The new football season is finally upon us, Ipswich Town start of against Gillingham at Portman Road, Gillingham bringing a familiar foe with them.

After 8 players left Portman Road in the summer so this will be the first time that town fans get to see what the finished starting 11 will look like for the next few weeks.

The two new signings Jason De Vos and Kevin Horlock are likely to start after shaking off injuries to their knees, De Vos will deputise as captain in the absence of Jim Magilton who is suffering from a small tear in his thigh. Matt Richards has over come a sore foot and should also feature.

Ipswich Town squad Scott Barron, Darren Bent, Dean Bowditch, Pablo Couñago, Kelvin Davis, Jason De Vos, Drissa Diallo, Shefki Kuqi, Kevin Horlock, Tommy Miller, Scott Mitchell, Antonio Murray, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Ian Westlake, Fabain Wilnis.

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has bought in two new strikers over the summer one being Darren Byfield and the other being Iwan Roberts, Roberts has never scored on the opening day of the season and Gillingham still have 7 over front man fit for tomorrow.

Barry Ashby and Nicky Southall have both overcome ankle injuries and may play a part at some point tomorrow. Alan Pouton and David Perpetuini aren’t match fit yet after injury but may be on the Gillingham bench. Ian Cox will miss out with a back injury.

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has said that: “It's a tough start for us at Ipswich, but it's one we are looking forward to.

“I watched them on Monday against Osasuna. Although it's hard to tell what their team will be we probably know their shape.”.

And added: “So I'm looking forward to it. Ipswich is always a big crowd - probably between 20-25,000. We are going to be the underdogs, which suits us.”.

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