Gillingham vs Rochdale - Match Preview

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Lee McEvilly in action for Dale during a loan spell last season.

Rochdale's new signing Lee McEvilly has not travelled with the squad for tonight's game in Kent and it is thought that, even though he is eligible to play, the striker will not be in the squad to face Gillingham.

McEvilly, now in his third spell as a Rochdale player, is cup tied for Saturday's FA Cup game at Forest Green having played for current club Cambridge in an earlier round, so his Dale bow will not come until a week on Saturday, when Dale visit Darlington.

Meanwhile Keith Hill's men have travelled to Gillingham without their captain Gary Jones and top scorer Chris Dagnall after both picked up knocks in Saturday's win over Luton Town. Ciaran Toner will come into the side in place of Jones while either Mark Jones or Jon Shaw will take up Dagnall's place on the substitutes' bench.

The squad stayed overnight in Kent in order to get a full day's preparation in Kent ahead of kickoff tonight.

Gillingham will be smarting after a 4-0 defeat against Bury at the weekend and will be keen to make amends at Priestfield, where they have a fine record so far this term.

Confidence in the Dale camp is high after Saturday's win moved them up to third in the league and extended their unbeaten run to eight games. All thoughts of a disgruntled home crowd and disgruntled players following a disappointing home draw with Macclesfield two weeks ago have vanished, with the players, fans and management team all riding on the crest of a wave.

A result tonight will rubber stamp the aspirations of everyone connected with the club and then the chance to reach the third round of the cup awaits on Saturday.