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Gills manager Mark Stimson faces a selection headache

Simeon Jackson in action against Bury on Saturday
Simeon Jackson in action against Bury on Saturday

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson faces a selection dilemma for next weekend’s trip to Rochdale and he’ll be letting the players make the decision for him.

Saturday’s goalless draw against Bury ended Gills’ automatic promotion hopes and the only thing resting on this weekend’s game is whether to go all out for a home second leg in next week’s League 2 play-offs.

Stimson (right) will rest a couple of key players for the Rochdale match and the remainder of the team will be given the choice whether to play or rest themselves for the play-off matches.

If Gillingham avoid defeat on Saturday they will play the crucial second leg of the play-off semi-final at Priestfield.

Stimson said: “They (the players) are in control of that. If they say they want to be at home in the second game and they believe that, then that might change our view next week and how we attack that game.

“There might be one or two who have experienced things and might say, ‘yeah, to be fair gaffer play someone else Saturday and I’ll be right on it for Thursday’.

“I just want honesty and if that’s how they feel I’m willing to gamble on that because I trust the players we’ve got now.

“I will throw it at them on Monday (today) and they will have 24 hours to think about it. They will come in on Tuesday and we’ll decide and work on what team we will play.

“I think only one or two will say they want to have a rest.”

The Gills will play their play-off semi-final first leg against either Dagenham & Redbridge or, ironically, Rochdale on Thursday, May 7 (7.45pm) and the second leg follows on Sunday, May 10 with a 6.30pm kick-off.

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