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Stimson wants to stick to Ipswich formula

Mark Stimson
Mark Stimson

Gillingham v Birmingham

Mark Stimson is likely to name the same starting eleven that faced Ipswich on Saturday – providing they are all fit.

The Gillingham manager was encouraged by the 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Wednesday night and will only tinker with the side if he has to.

Dennis Oli and Gary Mulligan will need to be assessed after the pair hobbled out of Wednesday's game with ankle injuries.

"We’ll see who is fit and available on Friday and if the eleven starters from Wednesday are available then they will start the game because they deserve to," he said.

"We have to now think about Bournemouth in two week’s time and try and get as close as possible to that team and get to know each other. The more you get to play with each other the more you get to know each other’s habits - the good and the bad.

"Saturday will be a harder test. Birmingham have come down from the Premier League and they will only be looking to do one thing like ourselves and that’s to bounce straight back.

"It’s another level against players who are a yard quicker than most of the Ipswich players. It’s another test and great for our players to be involved against a Championship side."

Gillingham fans have yet to see new striker Mark McCammon and Stimson doesn’t believe they’ll have long to wait.

Stimson said: “I went up the training ground on Tuesday and I saw Mark running and I said, ‘you’re fit’ and he said, ‘no, I’m only up to 75 per cent'.

"He was going well but we just have to be careful with a hamstring. This last 15 per cent which he wants is that fine line of saying do we push him for Saturday or do we make him wait a few more days."

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