Nothing but a win will do for Gillingham this weekend as they look to keep their faint play-off hopes alive against Macclesfield.

Andy Hessenthaler’s side have drifted seven points outside the play-offs after losing at Burton Albion on Tuesday night and with just seven games left this season, anything less than a victory could all but end their season.

Hessenthaler will be without the services of Charlie Lee who lasted just nine minutes against Burton after coming on as a second half substitute, but could see the return of striker Danny Kedwell following a back problem.

Changes are likely for a Gillingham side that has looked tired and lethargic in their past couple of outings with Hessenthaler likely to bring the likes of Danny Spiller into his starting line up.

There may also be changes at the back with Matt Fish and Joe Martin’s places most under threat, paving the way for the likes of Jack Evans to come back into the reckoning.

Forward Gavin Tomlin (hamstring) is not too far away from his return although this weekend comes too soon, while Garry Richards (fractured leg), Curtis Weston, Adam Birchall (both knee) and Callum Davies (hand) continue to miss out.

Whoever Hessenthaler ends up starting with, he’ll be expecting a better tempo at Priestfield than has been seen in the past couple of games.

The Gills starting line up could look something like this: Gazzaniga, Evans, Frampton, King, Jackman, Spiller, Montrose, J Payne, Obita, Kedwell, Kuffour.

Subs: Essam, Martin, Whelpdale, Vine, Oli.

With three points absolutely necessary for The Gills, Hessenthaler may go back to a preferred 4-4-2 formation having dabbled with a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 in recent weeks.

Brian Horton will continue to grapple with a towering injury list as Macclesfield look for their first League Two win in 17 attempts.

Wales Under-21 full-back Elliott Hewitt is the latest long-term victim and is facing four months on the sidelines after undergoing hip surgery.   Ankle injuries also mean the campaign is over for midfielder Dwayne Mattis and defender Paul Morgan.

Goalkeepers Jose Veiga and Steve Collis are set to resume training next week following respective calf and shoulder injuries, while the Gills game also comes too soon for full-back Carl Tremarco (hamstring).

Ross Draper (broken metatarsal) could feature for the the first time since December, but fellow midfielder Scott Kay (ankle) is still around a fortnight away from action and Sam Wedgbury may be ruled out through illness.

Ben Tomlinson (ankle/illness) could return in attack after getting some minutes under his belt during a behind-closed-doors friendly in midweek.