Gillingham v Dagenham

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson is preparing his side for an aerial bombardment on Monday as he looks to reignite their promotion charge.

Play-off chasing Dagenham visit Priestfield and Gillingham need a quick change of fortune after losing their last two matches without scoring a goal.

Stimson said: “Dagenham are a team who thrive on being the underdog and they like to go to places like Gillingham, with a fantastic set up, and cause an upset.

“We have to be ready for the aerial battle, the long ball, we definitely weren’t ready for that at their place. We have to improve on that and then do our stuff in their half.”

The Gills lost 2-0 at Dagenham on Boxing Day – conceding the opening goal after just 18 seconds.

Stimson is desperate to get his side scoring again, and more importantly picking up points.

With the Priestfield pitch still in bad shape, he is considering changing formation and personnel for the crucial match.

“The way our pitch plays we might have to do something different at home,” said Stimson.

“Goals win you games and you can play as good or as bad as you like but if you don’t score you’re not going to win.

“We hit a little run like this a couple of weeks ago and then we got a four and a three by playing a 4-3-3 formation and that’s what it might take to do now at home.

“Our pitch, with the flanks being what they are, every ball that is played to Andy Barcham bounces around his midriff and his neck so we might look at something else for Andy.”

Stimson could play Barcham, providing his knee injury doesn’t flare up, in a three-man attack along with Mark McCammon and Simeon Jackson.

The Gills boss must also choose between Mark Bentley and Garry Richards in central defence alongside Simon King.