Team news;

Jake Hessenthaler starts for Gillingham at Oxford as replacement for injured Billy Bingham.

Bingham misses out after being concussed in training on Friday.

It’s Hessenthaler’s first league appearance of the season.

Defender Gabriel Zakuani is back, starting in a 3-5-2 formation for the Gills. He returns after missing Gills’ last league game on international duty with Democratic Republic of Congo.

Luke O’Neill misses out for the first time this season, replaced at right wing-back by Scott Wagstaff.

Head coach Ady Pennock has returned Conor Wilkinson to the starting XI, following his suspension. He partners Tom Eaves in attack.

Gills: Holy, Ogilvie, Wagstaff, Lacey, Zakuani, Nugent, Martin, Byrne, Hessenthaler, Eaves, Wilkinson.

Subs: Arnold, O’Neill, Ehmer, Parker, Oldaker, Nash, Clare.

Preview

Two draws and three defeats leaves the Gills inside the bottom four ahead of two difficult away matches at Oxford United on Saturday and then AFC Wimbledon next Tuesday.

Oxford have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign - losing just one so far away to Scunthorpe. At home, they've beaten Portsmouth 3-0 and drawn 1-1 against Shrewsbury.

Having won their first two matches of the season, Oxford are now three games without a win, however. Can the Gills extend that run to four games and grab their first three-point haul in the process?

Head to head;

Gills wins 18, draws 13, Oxford wins 10

League form;

Gillingham: Shrewsbury L 1-2 (H), Southend D 3-3 (H), MK Dons L 0-1 (A), Bradford City L 0-1 (H), Doncaster Rovers D 0-0 (A).

Shrewsbury: MK Dons D 1-1 (A), Shrewsbury D 1-1 (H), Scunthorpe L 0-1 (A), Portsmouth W 3-0 (H), Oldham W 2-0 (A).

Stat Attack

Click here for appearances, goals, discipline, ratings and profiles

The last meeting – Oxford 1 Gillingham 0

Gillingham's last trip to Oxford was a foggy night in November 2016 when then manager Justin Edinburgh felt his team were good value for a point.

It didn't end that way, however, as Marvin Johnson put Oxford ahead at the break. The Gills did hit the woodwork through Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and they had a couple of efforts cleared off the line.

Click here for the report

Man in the middle - Michael Salisbury

Games refereed this season: 5 (9 yellows / 0 reds)

The last time Michael Salisbury took charge of Gillingham was a 2-1 away defeat at Coventry last February.

Assistants: Simon Knapp and Dean Treleaven, fourth Official: Nigel Lugg.

One to watch – John Mousinho

Former Gills man John Mousinho was Oxford's second signing on transfer deadline day - and could be in his line to make his debut against Ady Pennock's Gillingham side on Saturday.

He left Burton on a free transfer, having skippered them to promotion. He has also previously played for Preston, Brentford, Wycombe and Stevenage.

The 31-year-old started his career as a midfielder but has converted to a commanding centre-back in recent seasons.

Oxford manager Pep Clotet said: “He is a natural leader and fiercely competitive. He knows what it takes to win promotion from this division and is still very hungry to win things and be successful."

He made six loan appearances for Gills during the 2012/13 season, scoring one goal.

In the opposition camp;

Oxford manager Pep Clotet said: "We feel we have made a good start. Two draws, two wins and we only lost one so eight points after only five games is very encouraging and the squad is gelling more and more.

"Every game is difficult in this league but given the fact we have two home games in a row we have to use them to make sure we get as many points as possible.”

On facing Gillingham he said: "(They're) a strong physical team, very direct with big Eaves up front so they’re not scared to go back to front, a lot of long throw-ins, set-pieces.

"There’s no right or wrong way to play football, it’s just a different task for the lads but one that they’ve got to answer."

Last time out in the league - Gillingham 1 Shrewsbury 2

A late goal from Josh Parker was not enough for Gills as they were beaten by Shrewsbury at Priestfield last Saturday.

Looking to build on the league draw with Southend and subsequent Checkatrade Trophy win over the same opponents, Gills were 2-0 down at half-time as clinical Shrewsbury made the most of their chances.

Click here for more pictures from Gillingham's 2-1 defeat to Southend

Gills team news;

Defender Gabriel Zakuani is back after international duty with Democratic Republic of Congo. He missed their second match on Tuesday through illness but if Ady Pennock decides to recall him then either Ben Nugent or Alex Lacey could miss out unless they opt for a three-man defensive formation.

Striker Conor Wilkinson is back from suspension and could start alongside Tom Eaves up front, with Liam Nash dropping to the bench.

More on the Gills;

We'll do it our way says Gills head coach Steve Lovell

Gills director accused of US health care scam

The Shouting Men with Billy Bingham

Ady Pennock on transfer deadline day frustration

Fancy a punt?

Skybet have Gills at 17/4 to win, 29/10 the draw and 8/13 for an Oxford victory.

All of Gillingham's games have been quite close this season so you can get 11/4 on Oxford to win by one goal.

Conor Wilkinson is 9/1 to score first for Gills on his return from suspension, a market led by Oxford's Wes Thomas (7/2). If you fancy Gills to win 1-0 with a Tom Eaves winner then you'll get odds of 75/1.

Follow kentonlinegills on twitter for match updates at the weekend

See all of this week's fixtures in League 1 here

Beat the pundit;

Sittingbourne boss Nick Davis predicts Gills to pick up a point at Oxford.What do you think?