Gillingham host fellow strugglers Bournemouth without the services of midfielder Kevin Maher but are boosted by the return of Garry Richards.Maher was sent-off in last Saturday's crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Crewe and must now serve a three-match ban, ruling him out of the games against the Cherries, Port Vale and Carlisle.

Richards, meanwhile, is back after completing a three-game suspension of his own while fellow centre-back Danny Cullip could be in contention after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Cullip has missed the last three games but is poised to return while attacking duo Simeon Jackson and Leroy Griffiths are pushing to start after impressing as substitutes against Crewe.

Boss Mark Stimson has also hinted youngster Luis Cumbers could make the matchday squad after recalling him from a spell of work experience at AFC Wimbledon.

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