Recap: Chesterfield suffer first defeat of season against leaders Gillingham

"They are a really strong team with a very good manager in Mark (Bonner). It will be a really tough test but we are really looking forward to it. We will go there and give the best performance that we can give and hopefully it is enough to see us come away with something. We are very much learning about the division. I would certainly have Gillingham as one of the stronger teams in the league. Gillingham away is a very severe test but one we are looking forward to.”

In case you missed it, Chesterfield signed young Everton central midfielder, Jenson Metcalfe, 19, on a season-long loan. He has been on the bench for the Toffees in the Premier League this season and won their under-21 Player of the Year award last term.

They also brought in goalkeeper Max Thompson, 20, for the season on loan from Newcastle United, which was confirmed on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Joe Quigley left to join Forest Green Rovers for a fee. He scored 11 league goals last season to help the Spireites win the National League title. He departs after two-and-a-half years at the club.

Midfielder Tim Akinola also departed, joining Dagenham and Redbridge on loan, believed to be until the end of the season.

Marquee signing Bradley Dack, as welll as Ethan Coleman, Josh Andrews and Elliott Nevitt have all been in training this week so they could feature.

Oli Hawkins (fractured wrist) is out, Tim Dieng (knee) is a doubt, as is Connor Masterson (achilles), while Euan Williams is suspended.

Bonner told Kent Online: “I have been so impressed by Chesterfield, they obviously romped the league last year, brilliant. They deserve to be back in the league after a tough couple of years.

“[They have] a brilliant manager, really experienced, so no real surprises that they are fancied this season and they have added well.

“They are in a cycle where they have developed a style and a way as a team and had a period of success together where early on in the season that momentum carries you through.

“They have had a couple of games where they have probably been disappointed they haven’t won because they have been quite dominant in and they obviously had an outstanding result away at Crewe so they are looking very strong.

“They were very competitive against Derby in the Carabao Cup, lots of good players, Paddy Madden is close to returning and they are looking strong, a very good possession side, statistically very high. They will cause us lots of problems.”

Boot; Daley-Campbell, Naylor, Dunkley, Gordon; Oldaker, Banks; Markanday, Dobra, Berry; Grigg.

Subs: Thompson, Williams, Araujo, Metcalfe, Hobson, Jacobs, Drummond.

Town are still without Sheckleford, Tanton, Palmer, Mandeville, Colclough and Madden to injury. Araujo missed out last week with a knock but is expected to be okay for today if needed. Horton has also now been added to the injury list.

Sheckleford and Palmer are long-term, while the others are more short-term now.

They have beaten Carlisle United 4-1 at home, secured a 1-0 away win at Morecambe and drawn 0-0 at Fleetwood Town.

They lost 3-1 away to Swansea City in the Carabao Cup first round.

Referee: Chris Breakspear (he has given 17 yellow cards in just three games this season)

Assistant referee: Sam Ogles

Assistant referee: Damith Bandara

Fourth official: Jacob Miles

Gills: 29/10

Draw: 11/5

Chesterfield: 8/5

(Sky Bet)

Early start today as we head down to Kent for the lunchtime kick-off at the Priestfield Stadium.

Stay tuned!