Preston will be without striker Anthony Elding.
Elding has made two substitute appearances for North End since joining on loan from Grimsby but is cup-tied having appeared in an earlier round for his parent club.
Lee Trundle is closing in on his Lilywhites debut in attack having suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season, while club captain John Mousinho could make a first start in two months following struggles with illness and injury.
Defender Keith Keane underwent a knee operation on Wednesday and will be out for approximately three months. Scott Laird is the other long-term absentee for Preston as he begins a lengthy rehabilitation from his broken leg.
Gillingham have received mixed team news.
Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson serves a one-match suspension following his sending-off in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Accrington meaning Tommy Forecast, who stepped in for the final 20 minutes, is set to start from the off.
Defender Connor Essam has also been ruled out of the tie with a dead leg.
But there are positives for manager Martin Allen after leading goalscorer Danny Kedwell and midfielder Jack Payne, both of whom missed out last weekend with respective groin and ankle injuries, were passed fit.
Joe Martin has also been cleared to play after missing over a month with a wrist injury.
However, defender Tom Flanagan (fractured metatarsal) remains sidelined.
