Gillingham to face Birmingham City in the Premier League under-21 Cup at Priestfield

Gillingham’s manager wants to use Tuesday night’s Premier League Under-21 Cup clash to give some of his returning senior players valuable game-time.

The Gills can field up to three over-age players against Birmingham City and boss Gareth Ainsworth is expected to take full advantage.

The competition was entered primarily to help Gillingham’s youngsters bridge the gap between youth and senior football, but it also offers Ainsworth an opportunity to build fitness ahead of Saturday’s first-team game.

Ethan Coleman and Bradley Dack are among those that Ainsworth says are nearing a return from injury.

Ainsworth said last week that experienced pros Coleman and Dack were both training “on the grass”, with neither having featured for the Gills so far this season.

The match at Priestfield (kick-off 7pm) could provide an ideal opportunity for the pair to get some minutes under their belts. Under-21 players Sam Tabares and Zane Albarus, both 20, have also been mentioned recently as being close to a return after injury problems.

Albarus, who signed in this summer from Brighton, impressed when starting Gills’ first three games of the season but has missed the last four because of injury.

Gillingham are entering the under-21 cup competition for the first time this season and kicked off the group stage with a 4-1 defeat against Huddersfield Town.

Young pros Cruz Beszant, Michael Luxton, Damien Theodore and Louie Dayal could all feature against Birmingham, along with over-age player Cameron Antwi.

Youth striker Zac Whitelock played in that defeat away against Huddersfield but has since been getting minutes out on loan with Ashford United.

Whitelock scored a hat-trick for Ashford on Saturday as they beat Ascot United 3-1 in the FA Trophy.