Gillingham head to Doncaster Rovers in League Two without captain Max Ehmer and fellow central defender Conor Masterson – Glenn Morris set to return in goal
05:00, 06 September 2024
Who plays alongside Shad Ogie in central defence this weekend is the big question for the Gills as they head to Doncaster.
With Gillingham captain Max Ehmer suspended for a match and other obvious options on the treatment table, it’s left boss Mark Bonner with plenty to think about.
More: Gillingham team news for Doncaster trip
On Tuesday night Ehmer was free to play in the EFL Trophy - following his dismissal last weekend against Chesterfield - and partnered Alex Giles at the back.
Giles, 19, played in the League Cup with a tough game at Swansea City and has no Football League experience.
Last weekend’s matchwinner Robbie McKenzie could slot in alongside Ogie, with Bonner unable to call upon either Oli Hawkins or Tim Dieng, due to their injuries.
“I think we know what we’re doing,” said Bonner, speaking on Thursday about who could play.
“That is a fun game for everyone else to play!
“Robbie's been great but he's one we need to check on and see how he is this week.
“Conor (Masterson’s) not training yet, so obviously he's not available.
“We haven't got loads of options there for sure so we'll see what we come up with, and we'll have a team ready to go.
“The one thing I know is that whatever we've come up with, however we've gone about the games, players have taken to that really well.
“In a week's time, we know where we've got Max. Conor will probably be training next week, so all of a sudden, it will change quite a bit.
“This weekend we might be a little bit light in that area, but we'll find a solution.”
Elsewhere, Bonner has good options. He’s already stated that Glenn Morris will return between the sticks this Saturday but is glad to see good competition on the area following Jake Turner’s injury.
Fulham loanee Luca Ashby-Hammond played in the midweek EFL Trophy game but Morris looks like he’s got the no.1 shirt for now.
“Glenn's going to play,” said Bonner.
“That doesn't mean he stays in the team, just like Jake (Turner) wasn't guaranteed to stay in the team anyway (before he was injured).
“Luca played well. He's played the level, he's confident and he's been in a week and very, very quickly, adjusted to the group and the team quite well. So that's good for him.
“There is competition and cover. Nothing's guaranteed for any of the players in terms of being guaranteed to play.
“There's a nice bit of healthy competition in those positions, which I think is a good thing.”
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