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Gillingham defence facing real test

Mark Stimson knows his defence will be tested at Dagenham
Mark Stimson knows his defence will be tested at Dagenham

Dagenham v Gillingham

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson knows his defence will have to be on top form as they travel to free-scoring Dagenham on Boxing Day.

The Daggers sit two places below Gillingham in 10th place but are the League 1 top scorers with 41 goals in their opening 20 games.

Stimson said: “Dagenham put the ball into the box at every opportunity and ask the defence questions and come Friday the defenders will have to be on their game or we’ll be in for a rude awakening.

“They scored four away from home last Saturday and they showed they do score goals. We’ll just have to take our game to them.”

With Barry Fuller suspended it’s likely that Nicky Southall will fill in at right-back. Another change to last weekend’s side is likely to be the immediate return of Adam Miller - who missed last week’s draw with Brentford after serving a one-game ban.

“We missed him (Miller) in the first-half on Saturday but in the second-half we were back to normal,” said Stimson.

“We missed someone who will take responsibility and who isn’t afraid of making a mistake. It will be good to have him back because he can create and he can also find the net. He’s got a great chance of starting.”

Dennis Oli could also be ready for a starting role soon after making his return from a three-month injury lay-off with a second-half substitute appearance on Saturday.

Stimson said: “He’s not far off and he looked bright when he came on and only a fantastic save denied him a goal. Every day he is getting fitter and hopefully he’ll be involved in both games over Christmas.”

Gillingham face Peter Taylor’s table-topping Wycombe side at Priestfield on Sunday.

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