Gillingham manager Justin Edinburgh is excited about the prospect of having some of his star names back for the title run in.

His side head to Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon to take on Sheffield United in a game that could shape whether his side will still be in the hunt for an automatic promotion place from League One.

Edinburgh will welcome back star man Bradley Dack into the squad this weekend with both John Egan and Cody McDonald deemed fit enough to feature having taken their places on the bench against Coventry City last weekend, although the pair may have to settle for substitute spots as The Gills manager looks to keep a reasonably settled side.

The Gillingham boss will be missing striker Dominic Samuel this weekend with the on loan Reading man having gone back to his parent club earlier the week for treatment, so McDonald will fight it out for a starting place in the side, although Rory Donnelly seems more likely to partner Luke Norris.

One thing’s for certain though, Edinburgh seems set to throw Dack straight back into this starting line up and the Gills boss is delighted to have the influential attacking midfielder back and available for selection:

“We’re not free flowing going forward at the moment and we’re not getting the goals or creating the chances we’d probably like at this time, so it’s a massive temptation (to start Dack).”

“For me, he’s the best player in this league by a long way. He’s proved that throughout this season and throughout my time here. He’s one that when the time is right has to go back in.”

“Whether that’s this week, we’ll see. When we do chuck him back in, we have to be cautious that we keep him now for the remainder of the season.”

Edinburgh still hasn’t given up hope of securing an automatic promotion spot with seven games to go and having gone five games unbeaten, he’s hoping his side pick up three more points against the Blades this weekend having thrashed them 4-0 on the opening day of the season:

“We gained a point on Walsall last week and there was nothing lost on Burton, so it’s all still to play for.”

“We wouldn’t count ourselves as underdogs in any game between now and the end of the season. We’re fully aware of what Sheffield United are capable of and what quality they possess in their squad, but all these remaining fixtures are ones where we need to be taking points out of.”

“We’ve got to go there with confidence and in the last three away games we’re undefeated, with a win and two draws against some really good teams, so we need the same mentality and focus going into the Sheffield United game.”

With Walsall to come to Priestfield on Tuesday night, a minimum of four points from those two games will give The Gills a real good chance of still nicking one of the top two spots.

To listen to the full press conference, click here:

https://audioboom.com/boos/4395714-justin-edinburgh-previews-sheffield-united-v-gillingham