Lovell was dismissed with immediate effect on Friday evening, leaving coach Mark Patterson in charge of first-team duties for the game at Priestfield.

Barry Fuller should be fit for the Gills, despite the fact he limped off during the first half of the draw with Bradford on Monday. He is expected to be available along with midfielder Billy Bingham, who missed the trip after his wife went into labour.

Dean Parrett could be a doubt after illness ruled him out against Bradford. Leo Da Silva Lopes did play having been unwell but only lasted 65 minutes.

Graham Burke (foot) was expected back in training this week leaving only Callum Reilly (muscle strain) on the sidelines after Ricky Holmes returned to Sheffield United without having played a game for the Gills because of a back problem.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer will not rush Jake Forster-Caskey after the midfielder made a long-awaited first appearance of the season as a substitute against Scunthorpe. Forster-Caskey suffered cruciate ligament damage just before the start of the season and will not be pushed into the starting line-up.

Right-back Chris Solly serves the second of a four-match ban after the club’s appeal was rejected while Krystian Bielik is a doubt after missing the win over Scunthorpe with a shoulder problem. Forward Igor Vetokele came through 66 minutes of the match on Monday after returning from a knock.

Gillingham won their previous home game against Charlton – the Gills have never won two successive home games against the Addicks.

Charlton have scored in 16 of their last 17 games in all competitions against Gillingham, with the only exception being a 1-0 loss away from home in the league last season.

Gillingham have conceded at least once in each of their last eight league matches (12 goals in total), winning just two games during this period (D3 L3).