Lovell could have embarrassment of riches

There could be a fully-fit squad for Gills manager Steve Lovell to choose from this weekend – as long as they came away from Wednesday’s match at Hartlepool unscathed. Lovell is hopeful that Callum Reilly and Dean Parrett will be back for the clash at home to Luton. Striker Josh Parker is also expected to return following international duty and the trio were the only ones unavailable for the midweek FA Cup replay. Speaking before they travelled to Hartlepool, Lovell was relishing the chance to pick a team and a system free from constraints. He said: “We know our best formation when everybody’s fit and hopefully we can start being consistent with the players that we pick. “If everybody is fit then we have got cover in most of those places and at least two people who can play in those positions. “Hopefully, Callum Reilly, Dean Parrett and Josh Parker should be back. That would be nice. I have a favoured system and it allows me to play that if I have everybody fit. We are more successful with the diamond.” Lovell’s diamond shape in midfield has brought him his best results as Gills manager. Reilly and Parrett are both set to return after undergoing extensive a fitness regime. Lovell wanted them 100% free from injury before seeing them again. Parrett hasn’t started a league game in more than a month and Lovell said: “He was lacking a bit of sharpness and he agreed. All I want is Dean Parrett back to being Dean Parrett. “I have had these conversations with a lot of players in the last few weeks and it is about them not accepting average. They have to make sure that they themselves are 100% in their minds and physically to do their job on the pitch.” Reilly has been in a similar situation. “I am hoping that by the end of the week they both will be fighting for a place on Saturday,” Lovell addded. Parker was on international duty with Antigua & Barbuda, playing against Martinique on Tuesday, following a week-long training camp. He was one of those left out completely by Lovell but has been brought back into the fold now. “Josh had to get back on it. I have had words with him, with Navid Nasseri, Bradley Garmston and Elliott List,” said Lovell. “They can’t be average because I won’t pick average. “It is down to them, they either do it or they don’t. If they do it then I will give them every opportunity to play. “They wanted to stay here and fight for their place.”