After months of waiting, Gillingham under new manager Martin Allen kick off their league campaign at Priestfield on Saturday.

The visit of Bradford City heralds the start of a forty six game campaign that will take over nine months to complete, take in some new grounds for Gillingham’s fans and hopefully end with the side promoted to League One.

Things couldn’t have got off to a better start for Allen and his side as they knocked Bristol City out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night and they’ll be hoping for more of the same at Priestfield this weekend.

The Gillingham manager hinted after the trip to Ashton Gate that despite the win, he may make changes to his starting line up to freshen things up with Joe Martin set to be back in contention for a place.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jack Payne will remain sidelined with a bout of tonsilitis that should keep him out of the side for another week.

The signings of Adam Barrett and Myles Weston will bring extra competition for places in the Gillingham squad with Deon Burton finally having received his international clearance allowing him to play against the Bantams.

Tuesday night gave Gillingham’s travelling fans a glimpse of what can be expected for the coming season under Allen with his side playing a brand of football during pre-season that offers a lot going forward, whilst remaining tight at the back.

The use of wing backs and a holding midfielder gives the side the option to play three midfielders that have the freedom to roam with Charlie Lee, Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Allen enjoying that freedom at Ashton Gate.

Strikers Danny Kedwell and Ben Strevens are set to keep their places in the side for the visit of Phil Parkinson’s Bantams side after getting themselves a goal apiece against the Championship club on Tuesday night.

With the return of Martin for the this weekend’s game, Gillingham could line up something like this:

Nelson, Fish, Flanagan, Barrett, Martin, Jackman, Lee, Weston, Whelpdale, Strevens, Kedwell.

Subs: Forecast, Frampton, Essam, Allen, Montrose, Burton, Birchall.

Meanwhile, Bradford pair Andrew Davies and Ritchie Jones are expected to be included in the squad at Gillingham following injury.

Defender Davies missed the Capital One Cup win last weekend at Notts County due to a hamstring injury, while midfielder Jones was struggling with a thigh problem.

Manager Phil Parkinson told the club’s official website: “They were only niggly injuries, but if you try and rush people back you can sometimes make things a bit more serious.

“We decided not to push things with those two last week with this Saturday in mind. As much as we wanted them to be in contention for the Notts County match, you have to be careful.”

Parkinson, who has no other injury or suspension worries, must decide whether to start with either Davies or Jones or retain Will Atkinson and Gary Jones in the starting line-up.

Parkinson must also choose between Jon McLaughlin and Matt Duke for a starting place in goal.