Gareth Ainsworth will return to the dugout for the first time since September for Gillingham’s League Two fixture away at Shrewsbury Town this Saturday. 

The Gills go into the game seventh in the table, with last Saturday’s combative 1-1 draw against Barnet keeping them just inside the play-off places and 5 only points away from the top.

Bradley Dack’s free kick on the stroke of half time levelled the score for the Gills who, despite a spirited second half performance, couldn’t quite find a winner against a solid Barnet side.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth will return to his former club for the first time, having managed Shrewsbury Town between October 2024 and March 2025 before leaving for Gillingham.

Relegated side Shrewsbury had a tough start to the season with two points from their first six matches. However, their form has improved as they have won their last three home games and currently sit in 22^nd place, a point clear of the relegation zone.  

Shrewsbury have not faced Gillingham since January 2022, when both teams were in League One. That game ended in a 0-0 draw, with the Gills being relegated at the end of that season, while Shrewsbury finished 12^th.

That year aside, Shrewsbury have had a difficult time over the past eight years, mainly finishing in the lower reaches of League One before being relegated last season.

Gillingham’s matchday squad remains the same as last Saturday with Andy Smith sidelined in the short term, and Glenn Morris and Conor Masterson still working towards full fitness.

Armani Little is still suspended but will return to the squad for the Colchester game.

Gillingham will go into the match as favourites given the teams’ respective league positions, but with Shrewsbury’s home form, this may prove a difficult match.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.