Gillingham will be without midfielder Scott Wagstaff for the home clash with Oxford United on Boxing Day.

Having played a part in both goals in Friday night’s 2-0 win against Fleetwood, Wagstaff limped off with a hamstring strain and will not feature against the U’s.

“I don’t think it is as bad as it looked,” said boss Steve Lovell. “It’s unfortunate but hopefully he will be back soon.”

Jake Hessenthaler came on for Wagstaff and is likely to start in his absence. Connor Ogilvie played 90 minutes against the Cod Army after recovering from illness and should continue.

Oxford manager Pep Clotet can be expected to ring the changes. The Us were drubbed 7-0 at home by Wigan on Saturday and were jeered off.

Clotet says his men will “get through” the disappointment. The likes of Scott Shearer, Jonathan Obika, Alex Mowatt and Gino Van Kessel will be hoping to come into the reckoning.

Gillingham are winless in their last six league meetings with Oxford (D2 L4), failing to score in any of those matches.

The U’s have already beaten Gillingham twice in all competitions this season. They haven’t beaten the same Football League team three times in a single season before January in that campaign since the 1994/95 season, when they beat Peterborough on three separate occasions – the third such victory that year came on Boxing Day.

Gillingham find themselves at home on Boxing Day for the first time in four years, and have lost each of the last three league games they have hosted on Boxing Day – losing to Brentford, Barnet and most recently Leyton Orient in 2013.

Oxford United have lost three of their last four league games on Boxing Day, winning in 2015 versus Exeter.

Kick off is at 1pm with Gillingham starting the game in 18th place in League One, whilst Oxford United are in 10th.