Gillingham bosses are set to meet in the next couple of days to assess whether the Blues’ game at the Priestfield Stadium on Boxing Day can go ahead.

The Gills’ home match with Crewe on Saturday was postponed as the Kent side were unable to fulfil the fixture due to a number of positive Covid tests within their squad. Six players are understood to have been isolating having contracted the virus, while the Gills additionally have several injuries.

Manager Steve Evans said earlier on in the week that he was planning as if the match against Town will be on with some of his players back in training on Monday.

However, they may still be in a position where they have too few available for the game to take place.

According to KentOnline, Evans and the Gillingham medical team will meet with chairman Paul Scally will meet to assess the position before the end of the week, most likely tomorrow.

“We will just take the advise from our medical boys,” Evans is reported to have said regarding the situation.

In a statement last week, the EFL outlined the minimum number of players a club should have available in order for a game to take place.

“In the wake of recent EFL fixture postponements due to Covid-19 cases at clubs, the EFL has also provided guidance on non-fulfilment of fixtures, confirming that clubs will be expected to play where it has 14 players including a goalkeeper available from the club’s registered squad list, U21 players not on the squad list but have played one League match, or any other contracted player not on the squad list but otherwise would have been eligible to play. The EFL will assist clubs in their deliberations.

“This guidance has been designed to help clubs ensure the safety of players and staff, while ensuring that the fixture schedule can be maintained wherever possible. Where any club states it cannot fulfil a fixture, a report shall be filed with the EFL, and the circumstances reviewed.”

A number of Boxing Day games, including two in League One, have already been postponed.

On Monday, the EFL confirmed that the fixture programme would continue, despite the increase in Covid cases and postponements.

Town have already visited the Priestfield Stadium once this season, in the Papa John's Trophy in October when the Blues ran out 2-0 winners with Joe Pigott and Conor Chaplin scoring the goals.

If the Boxing Day game goes ahead, it will be new manager Kieran McKenna' first match in charge. The Northern Irishman took the squad for training for the first time yesterday morning.

Coincidentally, former boss Paul Cook's first match as Town boss was also at Gillingham in March, the game ending 3-1 to the Gills.

Photo: Pagepix

Radlett_blue added 09:50 - Dec 22 I'm sure we can rely on Steve Evans to do the right thing...
9

BluJu added 10:05 - Dec 22 If they're severely depleted, then I'm sure they can contrive to get the game off. However, I can't help thinking that it's still a good time to play us - as much as we want them to, I suspect that things on the pitch are not going to change overnight, and we'll still have those off days, or vulnerable periods in a game. That said, maybe we'll actually get some new manager bounce, for once?

1

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 10:14 - Dec 22 New manager bounce, what's that?! We never get that. The guidelines are actually pretty strict, but I can't help but think they are being applied rather loosely.
3

Gforce added 10:27 - Dec 22 I actually believe it would surely be a good time to play them. What with six players self isolating with covid and several players struggling with injuries, even if they still manage to put a team together, they wouldn't be too well prepared due to a lack of training and hopefully lacking match fitness also.
2

clive_baker added 10:29 - Dec 22 If it's rearranged you would think it'll be Tuesday 18th Jan at the earliest, which is after the transfer window opens and the new manager will have had about a month with the squad by then. From their perspective, I don't think there's a better time to play us than now. Also the fixtures piling up won't help them in the new year as they look to try and stay up with a small squad. I imagine the attendence will be lower too, which would hit them in the pocket.

2

ArnieM added 10:37 - Dec 22 I doubt it'll happen . But on the plus side it will give our new coaches a lot more time with the players on the training pitch - all good 👍
3

Edmundo added 10:44 - Dec 22 We need more time on the training ground. Happy if we don't play till January myself.
2

Orraman added 10:57 - Dec 22 Nothing is straightforward when there is an Evans involved. The name haunts Ipswich Town.
3

jas0999 added 11:16 - Dec 22 Sounds like they have loads of non-covid related injuries as well. No doubt they will push to get the game postponed. Can't blame them I guess.
1

MickMillsTash added 11:33 - Dec 22 Good points on here Will Gillingham need the money from Boxing Day ticket sales more than the points (which they may not get if they have a depleted squad) Will the game be on I follow?
0

Robert_Garrett added 11:51 - Dec 22 Seems Paul Cook was just a stop gap until the real plan unfurled. Kieran Mckenna was always the target to complete the circle, just the opportunity wasnt expected this season. Wait until you see who the next appointment will be? True Blues support the Town through thick and thin. Cherry on the icing would be to play the scum next season so thats a target to aim at?

-1

Saxonblue74 added 13:37 - Dec 22 Time for a break in pro football or else chaos will ensue. Also mandatory jabs for pros, still 16% unjabbed in the prem? Madness.
2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls