Gillingham will have a number of key players back for the New Year’s Day trip to Milton Keynes Dons in League One.

Not having played a game since December 11th, Gillingham have had their past three league games postponed due to Covid.

The home clash against relegation rivals Crewe Alexandra on Saturday 18th December was called off due to Covid within the Gillingham camp, swiftly followed by the game against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day at Priestfield.

Finally, the trip to The Valley to face local rivals Charlton Athletic on Wednesday 29th December was postponed when the Addicks were unable to field a team due to Covid.

With twenty days between games, Gillingham have had a great chance to get some of their injured players fit with Vadaine Oliver, Kyle Dempsey and Max Ehmer just some of those that have been plagued by a variety of injuries in recent weeks and months.

Manager Steve Evans has been keeping his cards close to his chest as to who will be available for the New Year game, but has spoken of his delight at having more options at his dispersal:

“We gave the players the opportunity to have Christmas Day & Boxing Day with their families. We still have injuries to one or two key players, but it’s been good to have 14 or 15 senior players on the grass; we’ll see if we can get a couple more today.”

“We’ve tried our best to keep the positivity in the camp. We need to win some Football matches; we are normally stronger in the second half of the season, and we will be, provided we’ve got the injuries cleared up a little bit.”

“MK Dons are a good side; I watched them at Sincil Bank a few days ago against a Lincoln team full of good players. They dominated the ball, dominated the chances and could have scored a few more.”

“We are going to try and do some business [in January]. I’ve had a couple of positive meetings with the Chairman. We know where we need to strengthen within the group, we know what we want to do.”

Gillingham go into the game having lost all of their last five league matches, dropping to 23rd in League One and even a win at Milton Keynes will see them stay in the bottom four as they sit five points adrift from safety.

In contrast, MK going into the game sitting seventh in the league, just outside the play-off places and are a formidable opposition at home.

With the transfer window just about to open, Gillingham fans will be hoping the New Year brings not only new hope, but a raft of new players.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.