Thursday 10 December

It’s a trip to Yorkshire to take on Huddersfield Town this Saturday … can we turn around our dreadful away form? On paper you would say no, but stranger things have happened. As well as defender King (ankle ligaments) and midfielder Jackman (shoulder) being out, there’s no Febian Brandy (thigh) up front. Central defender Josh Gowling is suspended and fellow centre back Matt Fry plays his last game for us, but his loan from West Ham should be extended?

It’s been a pretty dire fortnight for boss Mark Stimson … just as everything (except away form) was beginning to come together, the injury jinx strikes! In addition to defender Simon King (ankle ligaments) and midfielder Danny Jackman (shoulder) being out until next year, there is a ‘flu bug doing the rounds.

Even worse news was that on-loan striker Febian Brandy (right) who has made a big impact since joining, has had to return to parent club Manchester United for treatment on a thigh injury picked up against Leyton Orient, which could keep him out for up to a month.

Stimson said: "He's a very important player and we're hoping he'll be back in two to four weeks. He's a Manchester boy who lives around the corner from the United training ground so it makes sense he has treatment there."

He firmly believes that the injury was caused by lack of preparation time after the travel fiasco before the game at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road: "Much has been made of health and safety issues at the game which must apply to the players as well because Febian didn't have enough time to warm up properly," he added. READ LATEST ON FEBIAN BY CLICKING

Then Josh Gowling picked up his 10th caution of the season last Saturday against Carlisle and is now banned for the next two games. Stimson felt the booking by Jarnail Singh was a harsh one and must now decide who takes Gowling’s place in central defence.

He said: "I thought he was unfortunate with his booking because there didn’t look anything in it. He’s going to be a big loss but hopefully someone can step in and do us a job."

Mark Bentley (left) is likely candidate to drop back in defence, despite impressing recently in his more natural right-wing position. Garry Richards, who has been out with injury for a few weeks (and some would say out of favour), could be back in contention, while Stimson could recall youngster Tom Wynter from his loan spell with Dover.

"Tom is a centre-half and maybe we’ll have to recall him now with Josh missing for two games," said Stimson. "If we have to call back Tom we will do. We will have to look at it on Tuesday and see who is fit and well and available. Garry Richards started running on Friday and he possibly could be back training with the group."

On a more positive note, West Ham defender Matt Fry (pictured right) wants to extend his loan spell at Priestfield beyond this weekend and would like to stay until the end of the season if parent club West Ham agree.

The 19-year-old has become a key member of the Gills back four in the absence of Simon King, since arriving in October. The club are said to be confident they will be able to prolong the arrangement until at least January.

Fry said: “To be honest speaking with West Ham they might want me to. Every game I play is more experience and it will help me in the long run. I’d like to, playing reserve team football at West Ham isn’t quite the same as coming out and playing first team football. I think when the discussion comes it will definitely be in the back of my mind.”

Mark Stimson has been impressed with Fry, which has helped keep five successive clean sheets at home. He said: “We’re trying to keep him here as long as possible, not just because of Simon King’s injury but because of how well he’s done. I hope he’s enjoyed his time here, so we’ll be looking to talk to West Ham again.”

On the King front, Stimson is backing his star centre back to return to action this season following his horrific ankle ligament injury picked up in a pre-season friendly at Bromley. A recent visit to a specialist cast doubts on King (right) playing any part this season, but Stimson said: "There’s an outside chance (he’ll miss the rest of the season) and we’ve been told by the specialist to keep working. We are going along the right lines, but it’s going to be a longer process than we first thought.”

“There’s an outside chance, but if anyone has a chance in this group I would back him and Barry Fuller to prove people wrong and get out there and play. Fingers crossed he will because he is the best left-sided centre-half in this division. We’ve been fortunate because Matt Fry has come in and more than held his own."

Gills Recent League Form - last 6 matches

Huddersfield’s Recent League Form - last 6 matches

Terriers boss Lee Clark (left) is convinced that his side are capable of mounting a serious promotion bid this season. They are currently ten points behind second-placed Charlton and proved they were a match for leaders Leeds United with a creditable 2-2 draw at Elland Road last weekend.

Clark said: "We showed we can compete with the best, because the table doesn't lie. They are the best team in the league at this point in time. We have very serious promotion ambitions. If Leeds continue and don't drop points then they will deserve to be at the top, but we have certainly not given it up.“

"We focused on this game (Leeds) and the lads have shown that they possess quality, and if we continue in this way then we'll be there or thereabouts as one of the three teams getting promotion from this division."

Contrary to some press reports, midfielder Antony Kay was not cautioned at Elland Road. It was in fact fellow midfielder Michael Collins and Kay remains eligible to play this weekend as he is still on four yellows.

Winger Gary Roberts (right) believes the Terriers will go onwards and upwards under boss Lee Clark. Currently fifth League I, Clark has been at the helm for a year (on Friday) and Roberts wants to give him a reason to celebrate by helping the team beat Gillingham on Saturday.

Roberts feels he has benefited under the managers guidance and was given a new three-year deal in the summer after finishing as top scorer last season: “The manager and his staff are doing a great job here. The type of football we play is enjoyable and hopefully entertaining for the fans and the spirit in the camp is top class.”

“I think that was evident at Leeds last Saturday, when we went there, played our own game on their patch and showed great character to hit back twice and force the draw. Not many could have argued had we won the match. We have to take confidence from our display and kick on from it, starting with the Gillingham match. That will be a different kind of game, with the pressure on us to produce as the home side. They’ll be tough opponents, but we know that if we play the way we can, we’re a match for any team in the division.”

Manager: Lee Clarke (Record to date: P53 W24 D15 L14).

Nickname: The Terriers.

Colours: Home – Blue & White. Away – Red & Navy.

Ground: Galpharm Stadium.

Capacity: 24,500.

What’s it like for Gills fans? (picture January 2008)

Gills fans will be at one end of the ground in the Pink Link (South) Stand, which holds up to 4,000. The facilities and the view of the pitch are both very good.

There is also a Ladbrokes outlet and a bar serving alcoholic drinks at the back of the stand, which I’m told if you can't bear to watch your team during the game, you can always escape to, as the bar remains open during the first half and half time.

Transfers in:  Jordan Rhodes from Ipswich – signed, Theo Robinson from Watford – free, Robbie Simpson from Coventry - £300,000, Antony Kay from Tranmere – free, Peter Clarke from Southend – free, Lee Pettier from Yeovil – free.

Loans in: Daniel Drinkwater from Man. Utd.

Transfers out: Michael Flynn to Bradford – free.

Loans out: Tom Denton to Cheltenham, Simon Eastwood to Bradford, Phil Jevons to Morecambe, Ian Craney to Morecambe.

Released: None.

We've met twenty times in competitive competitions. The first ever meeting was back in December 1974 when we won 2-0 at the old Leeds Road ground in the old Division Three. About a month later we achieved the double with a 3-2 win at Priestfield.

In our last meeting, we beat them 1-0 at Priestfield, thanks to an 88th minute penalty from Adam Miller. A month earlier we had recorded a fine 3-1 win at the Galpharm thanks to an unlikely brace from Gary Mulligan and a late goal from Delroy Facey.

The total record reads: Gills wins - 9, Huddersfield wins - 7, draws - 4.

•The Terriers most capped international is Jimmy Nicholson (31 caps for the N Ireland).

•Their best ever League win was 10-1 vs.Blackpool - 13/12/1930 - D2 (old).

•Best ever attendance was 67,037 (Leeds Road) vs. Arsenal - 27/2/1932 - FA Cup R6.

•Most League goals in a season: George Brown with 35 -1925/26 - D1 (old).

•Most League appearances: Billy Smith with 520 from 1914 to 1934.

•Biggest transfer fee received: £2.7 million from Sheff. Wed. for Andy Booth - July 1996.

•Biggest transfer fee paid: £1.2 million to Bristol Rovers for Marcus Stewart - July 1996.

Hopefully the ‘flu bug which affected ‘keeper Simon Royce (left) and midfielder Mark Bentley last weekend, although both played, has now past and that neither was the player involved in the car accident?

With centre back Josh Gowling suspended after picking up a tenth yellow card last Saturday, Bentley could find himself lining up in the back four again after recent impressive performances in his more natural right wing slot. The midfielder was an able deputy centre back earlier this season alongside Gowling, but could now find himself pairing with West Ham loanee Matt Fry?

Striker Febian Brandy has returned to parent club, Manchester United, for treatment on the thigh strain picked up at Leyton Orient. He is said to be responding well to treatment but is not yet ready to return to training at Priestfield.

An as yet unnamed player has picked up a knee injury in a minor car accident and has been ruled out this weekend. Although unwilling to name the player, the Manager said that the player would have started in Saturday’s game.

Midfielder Danny Jackman (shoulder) has stepped up his rehabilitation schedule but will not return to action until January. Defender Simon King (ankle ligaments) will not see any action in January and any return this season is currently in doubt.

Midfielder Adam Miller plays his final game of his month long loan spell for League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge, though the Essex side are keen to extend and Miller has gone on record saying he believes his Gillingham career is over … I doubt many Gills fans would want to see him back after the public statements he has made?

Strikers Luis Cumbers has extended his loan spell at AFC Wimbledon until January and Andy Pugh is still with Welling. Centre back Tom Wynter (right) is currently on loan at Dover, however could be recalled as back up due to King’s long term injury and Gowling’s ban. Striker and manager’s son, Charlie Stimson is on work experience at Ryman Division One North side Redbridge.

Gills eleven from (4-4-2): Simon Royce (GK), Alan Julian (GK), John Nutter, Matt Fry, Garry Richards, Kevin Maher, Curtis Weston, Stuart Lewis, Chris Palmer, Mark Bentley, Dennis Oli, Mark McCammon, Simeon Jackson, Jack Payne, Andy Barcham, Jacob Erskine, Luke Rooney, Connor Essam, Rashid Yussuff.

Winger Anthony Pilkington will miss Saturday’s game through suspension. The 21-year old picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during Saturday's 2-2 draw at League leaders Leeds United and now has to serve a one match ban at the weekend.

Striker Robbie Simpson is stepping up his rehabilitation after a long-term thigh injury which has kept him out since October. He has made just four starts and a further seven from the bench since joining in a £300,000 move from Coventry in the summer.

Midfielder Danny Drinkwater (thigh), on loan from Manchester United, is close to a return that has seen him miss the last ten matches. Defender Tom Clarke (knee) is also out of action.

Otherwise boss Lee Clark has no fresh injury concerns and could name the same starting eleven, with the exception of Pilkington, that held Leeds United to a 2-2 draw last weekend.

Terriers eleven from (4-4-2): Alex Smithies (GK), Matt Glennon (GK), Lee Peltier, Joe Skarz, Michael Collins, Peter Clarke, Nathan Clarke, Gary Roberts, Anthony Kay, Theo Robinson (bottom right), Jim Goodwin, Robbie Williams, Jordan Rhodes (leading goalscorer top right), Andy Butler, Anthony Pilkington, Chris Lucketti, Lee Novak, James Berrett, Tom Denton, Lionel Ainsworth.

Saturday’s referee is Mr Geoff Eltringham from Tyne & Wear. This is his first season on the National List of Referee’s officiating Football League games.

To date this term he has booked sixteen with one red card in nine games.

His assistants are Mr Gary Hilton from Lancashire and Mr Stephen Smith from County Durham. Our fourth official is Mr Wayne Grunnill from East Yorkshire.

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