Gillingham will be keen to bounce back from their loss against Lincoln City with three points at local rivals Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Steve Evans’ side head up the A2 to take on one of League One’s form sides on the back of the 3-0 loss at home to the league leaders last Friday night.

In front of the Sky cameras, The Gills showed glimpses of what they have to offer this season, but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal.

For manager Steve Evans, the game will be one of the toughest challenges of the campaign, but believes his side can pull off a win:

“We played particularly well against Lincoln. The performance was good but we need to be better. Charlton away is, for me, a more difficult game than Lincoln at home.”

“Going to The Valley is going to be tough, but it is a game that every one of our players and staff should look forward to.”

Striker Jayden Stockley has been brought in on loan for the remainder of the season by The Addicks and Evans believes the player he was interested in signing could pose a real threat to The Gills.

Evans said: “The signing of Jayden Stockley has seen Charlton change style a little bit and become much more effective. There is a real desire now to go into Jayden. He has the quality to bring people into play or indeed take chances, create or go for goal. We wanted to sign him here at Gillingham, I think most teams at this level would.”

“To get into those play-offs we need three or four consecutive wins once or twice before the end of the season. We showed recently that winning three games in a row puts you on the verge of it. We know we need to start winning and there is no bigger test than going to The Valley. We will be ready on Saturday.”

The Gills go into the game with a few knocks, but manager Steve Evans could well keep faith with the side that started against Lincoln City if everyone is available.

Jordan Graham and Callum Slattery will be given every chance to prove their fitness ahead of the game as Steve Evans looks set to keep faith with his tried and tested starting eleven.

That would see Tom O’Connor once again forced to start from the bench, although Evans may be tempted to start with John Akinde in place of Vadaine Oliver.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.