MATCH DETAILS
Gillingham v Sheffield Wednesday
Saturday 19 March
3:00pm
Sky Bet League One
Priestfield Stadium
The Owls head to Gillingham on Saturday in Sky Bet League One.
It’s extremely tight at the top end of the division with a congested play-off picture unfolding.
Wednesday go into the round of fixtures just a point outside of the play-off positions, with a game in hand over sixth-placed Sunderland.
There is plenty on the line for both sides on Saturday at Priestfield.
While the Owls will be looking to return to winning ways after being held by Accrington at home in midweek, the Gills need the points for their bid to avoid relegation.
Neil Harris’ side sit in the drop zone, currently 21st in the division.
Results have improved under Harris and as things stand, it’s only goal difference keeping Gillingham in the bottom four.
The club have two wins from their last four outings, though lost away at Charlton last time out.
Our last meeting with Gillingham finished 1-1 at Hillsborough, with former Owl Vadaine Oliver opening the scoring before Florian Kamberi equalised 15 minutes from time.
TEAM NEWS
Wednesday: Harlee Dean, Josh Windass and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing have trained and a decision will be made on whether the trio will be involved in the squad on Saturday.
Lewis Gibson and Liam Palmer are doubts after picking up knocks.
Ciaran Brennan is also unlikely to feature due to an injury the defender sustained in the Under-23s’ 1-0 win over Sheffield United earlier in the week.
Gillingham: Defender Robbie McKenzie limped off injured last time out in the 1-0 defeat at Charlton.
The 23-year-old has been a mainstay in the Gills team this season with 40 appearances in all competitions but is now a doubt after picking up an injury just before the hour mark at The Valley.
Young defender Harvey Lintott stepped in to fill the void in midweek and the 19-year-old could feature against the Owls.
Ryan Jackson, Mustapha Carayol, Ben Reeves and goalkeeper Aaron Chapman are all out with injury.
With injuries throughout the squad, manager Neil Harris said: “If the youngsters have to step in and play, then so be it. Sometimes in adversity you go to the youngsters and Josh Chambers came on and did really well at the weekend for 20 minutes. Harvey came on and did okay.”
PRE-MATCH MEDIA
Manager – Darren Moore
The gaffer's pre-match media took place earlier today as we build up to #GILSHW this weekend
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 17, 2022
Dominic Iorfa
Competition for places and raising the standards 👊#swfc https://t.co/IQWwDD86K9 pic.twitter.com/C5bzvsX2gR
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 18, 2022
OFFICIALS
Referee – Gavin Ward
Assistant referee – Akil Howson
Assistant referee – Matthew McGrath
Fourth official – Chris Pollard
iFOLLOW
Live match commentary will be provided by iFollow in association with BBC Radio Sheffield, while the game will be streamed live overseas.
Audio match passes are available HERE.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The hashtag for our content relative to Saturday’s game is #GILSHW
Our official Twitter account @swfc will provide a blow-by-blow text update of the game as well as all key match information, including team news at 2.00pm.
Our official Instagram @swfcofficial will also keep you up to date on the latest events, with content uploaded to the story throughout the matchday.
The key news will also be uploaded to our Facebook page HERE.
FORM GUIDE
Owls: WWLWD
Gillingham: DWLWL
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
13 Nov 2021 | Owls 1-1 Gillingham | League One
7 Jan 2003 | Gillingham 4-1 Owls | FA Cup
14 Dec 2002 | Owls 0-2 Gillingham | Football League Div 1
16 Nov 2002 | Gillingham 1-1 Owls | Football League Div 1
9 Mar 2002 | Owls 0-0 Gillingham | Football League Div 1
Fans are reminded of their conduct during all home and away fixtures HERE.