Former Crystal Palace midfielder criticised for ‘poor discipline’ as he misses Charlton Athletic match

Gillingham manager Steve Evans has criticised Stuart O’Keefe for the “poor discipline” which sees him sit out tomorrow night’s home game against Charlton Athletic.

The struggling Addicks make the short trip to Kent looking to halt a slump in form that has dropped them to 23rd in the League One standings.

Former Crystal Palace midfielder O’Keefe is unavailable after being dismissed for two bookable offences in the Gills’ 4-1 loss to Milton Keynes.

O’Keefe’s first caution was for throwing the ball away. Evans told Kent Online: “He puts himself on a knife edge – it was a silly yellow card. The referee was having little nibbles at Stuart early doors and he played into his hands by throwing the ball away for the first yellow. He will be dealt with.

“I said to him at half time and at the end of the game that is poor discipline from a senior player.”

Gillingham are also set to be without injured quartet Musapha Carayol, John Akinde, Dan Phillips and Ryan Jackson.

“We are again depleted but lets focus on the players we have available,” said Evans. “Those lads not available for selection cannot help us one bit, so forget them.”