Gillingham will be aiming to avoid another early elimination from the Jersey Mike’s Trophy when they host Brighton tonight.
The Gills lost 4-1 at home to Cambridge United in the first of their three Southern Group G matches and now face Brighton’s under-21s.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth will need a positive result tonight to keep their EFL Trophy prospects alive Picture: Barry Goodwin
Manager Gareth Ainsworth will need a positive result tonight to keep their EFL Trophy prospects alive Picture: Barry Goodwin
Cambridge have already won their first two matches and sit pretty at the top of the group on six points, ahead of Brighton, who beat Northampton Town 3-0 in their opening game.
Brighton will progress to the knockout stage, along with Cambridge United, if they beat the Gills at Priestfield.
Gillingham’s history in the EFL Trophy isn’t great. They haven’t managed to get out of the group stage since the 2020/21 season.
Victory against Brighton will give them hope of progress this year and ensure their final group game against Northampton next month has something on it.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth will have to pick some senior pros to comply with competition regulations, and it could come at a timely stage for some players who need minutes.
Ainsworth doesn’t like taking risks with players but may look at Tuesday’s game as an opportunity to give more minutes to the likes of Middlesbrough loan defender Jack Daley and midfielders Ethan Coleman and Cameron Antwi.
He left a few players out on Saturday because of slight injury concerns, with Conor McManus (hamstring), Garath McCleary (back) and Zane Albarus not risked.
Goalkeeper Rohan Luthra is likely to feature. He hasn’t played yet since coming in as cover following an injury to back-up stopper Taite Holtam.
Youngsters Harry Webster, Michael Luxton, Cruz Beszant, Louie Dayal and Sulli Booth will all hope to get extra minutes to show what they can do.
“I want to go strong,” said the Gills boss. “I want to win this game. We’ll try and go strong.
“The older ones will probably be rested, but I've got some players, especially those who were on the bench [on Saturday], who will play, and we’ll supplement it with one or two more.”
Gillingham’s game on Tuesday night is a 7pm kick-off.