Gillingham could hand debut to Willock

Posted Thursday, August 29, 2019 by PA

Matty Willock is poised to make his Gillingham debut when they host Bolton in Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash.

Willock suffered a hamstring injury during pre-season which has prevented the former Manchester United midfielder from making his competitive debut, but played just over an hour in a behind-closed-doors match in midweek.

Boss Steve Evans said he will be involved to in the matchday squad but is likely to be on the bench, alongside Regan Charles-Cook who is expected to recover from a sore knee.

Thomas O’Connor and Olly Lee were signed on loan from Southampton and Hearts respectively, and could also be in line to make their debuts for the club.

Bolton are hoping to sign up a number of former players after the club was saved from liquidation this week.

Free agents Craig Conway and Will Buckley have been training with Wanderers for the past month and could be brought in quickly.

It has also been reported that defender Jack Hobbs agreed a one-year deal over the summer and that would just require rubber-stamping.

Experienced midfielder Gary O’Neil may also re-sign as Bolton look to build a competitive squad having relied on youth-team players since the start of the season.