A seriously patched up side will take to the field as Gillingham look to secure three very vital League One points at Crewe on Saturday.

With as many as eleven first team players out injured, manager Steve Evans will once again have to board the bus with a depleted squad and the side will almost pick itself for the clash between the two sides battling relegation.

Ordinarily, Gillingham would head to Crewe believing they could come back to Kent with three points, but with Evans having to field a side including some youngsters, the boss knows how hard the challenge will be.

He said ahead of the game: “Crewe are bottom of the table and going through a tough time but they have got some players which we really like. We know how tough it will be.”

“This is a big game; if we win we could go up four or five places, if we lose we will go down some more places. From our point of view, we will fill the group with confidence and give it our all. We are grateful for every first-team player that we have. When this squad is fully fit, there is more than enough to compete.”

“For the last two and a half years I have got up at 5:30 in the morning. All through the pandemic, I think I had eight days away, outside that I worked every day. I’ve been very fortunate that the Gillingham fans have been absolutely magnificent to me and I am humble and respectful to give them everything I have got.”

“The team is giving us everything. I’ll know Saturday morning who I can pick. We need to be as one to get something at Crewe on Saturday.”

With Ben Reeves and Danny Lloyd having limped off in the 1-0 FA Cup First round replay loss at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night, Gillingham really are now down to the barest of bones ahead of the weekend.

They’ve joined Vadaine Oliver, Kyle Dempsey, Olly Lee, Rhys Bennett, Robbie McKenzie, Alex MacDonald, David Tutonda and Mustapha Carayol on the treatment table, although Evans will be hoping one or two can be patched up and take some part of Saturday’s game.

Never before have Gillingham had such an injury crisis and with the manager’s own future in doubt, they will head north knowing this could be a pivotal turning point in their season, but also the future of the club as a whole.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.