Mulligan to lead the line at Belle Vue

Last updated : 18 February 2006 By Simon Head

Mulligan: Lone gunman this weekend

Mulligan, whose work rate has impressed in his appearances for the Gills so far, will be entrusted with the main striking role as the Gills take on a revitalised Doncaster Rovers side at Belle Vue this weekend.

With first-choice strikers Darren Byfield and Neil Harris unavailable, and Paul Shields only just back from a lengthy injury layoff, manager Ronnie Jepson is likely to opt for a 4-5-1 formation this weekend, packing the midfield and breaking players forward from deep.

Should he decide to be more adventurous in attack, Jepson has the Paul Shields and Gavin Grant available to partner Mulligan, but with the return to disappointing away form with defeat at Swindon, Jepson is more likely to go with a stronger defensive lineup.

And it's in defence where Jepson has his biggest selection dilemma this weekend. The returning Chris Hope joins Leon Johnson and Ian Cox in contention for the two spots in the centre of Gillingham's defence. Hope is the club captain, but Cox seems to be a big favourite of Jepson's, and Leon Johnson has been the club's most reliable defender this season, so it's perm two from three - and Hope may yet again have to contend himself with a place on the subs bench.

Possible Gills lineup:

GK: Jason Brown
RB: Sean Clohessey
LB: Danny Jackman
CB: Ian Cox
CB: Leon Johnson
RM: Tommy Black
LM: Danny Spiller
CM: Andy Crofts
CM: Michael Flynn
CM: Justin Cochrane
ST: Gary Mulligan