Rovers return to the Keepmoat Stadium to take on Gillingham in Sky Bet League One this weekend.
Darren Moore’s side won 2-0 at Northampton Town last time out, with goals from Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Wright securing all three points.
Gillingham’s recent form
The Gills are unbeaten in their past five league games, with their last defeat coming at home to Sunderland at the end of October. They responded well to that, beating Crewe Alexandra on the road before holding Charlton Athletic to a 1-1 draw at Priestfield Stadium.
Their good form continued with a 2-1 win at home to AFC Wimbledon, before another victory on their travels at Bristol Rovers. Their last outing saw another three points on home soil, beating Swindon Town 2-0.
The man in charge
Former Rotherham and Leeds United manager Steve Evans was appointed as the Gills’ new boss in May 2019, taking over from Steve Lovell. Since taking over, Evans has been in charge of 67 Gillingham matches, winning 25, drawing 21 and losing 21, giving him an overall win percentage of 37.3%.
Ones to watch
Kyle Dempsey
The 25-year-old midfielder joined Gillingham in the summer after leaving fellow Sky Bet League One side Fleetwood Town, and was immediately handed the captain’s armband at Priestfield Stadium. After starting his career with hometown club Carlisle United, Dempsey earned a move to Sky Bet Championship club Huddersfield Town in 2015.
Having struggled for game time in his two years at the John Smith’s Stadium, he moved to Fleetwood after a successful loan spell. The spell with the cod army was perhaps the best of his career so far, playing more than 80 times and helping them establish themselves in the third tier.
Dominic Samuel
Having started his career at Sky Bet Championship side Reading, the 6ft 2inch striker spent time on loan with Gillingham in the 2015/16 campaign, before joining Blackburn Rovers on a permanent deal.
The 26-year-old spent three seasons at Ewood Park, and helped them earn promotion back to the second tier in the 2018. He joined Gillingham on a permanent deal in the summer to bolster Steve Evans’ forward line.
Vadaine Oliver
The Sheffield-born striker is now with his seventh club after joining Gillingham in the summer. After coming through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday, Oliver enjoyed spells with Lincoln City, Crewe Alexandra, York City and Morecambe before joining Northampton Town in 2019.
His sole season at Sixfields saw him help the side to promotion from Sky Bet League Two via the play-offs, before his move to Priestfield to work with Steve Evans.
Last time out
Gillingham beat Rovers 2-1 when the two sides last met in Sky Bet League One back in February. Ben Sheaf had given Darren Moore’s side an early lead, before two own-goals from Cameron John turned the game on its head.
More ahead of this match
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