Gillingham manager Neil Harris is expecting a tough test when Bolton Wanderers come to Priestfield on Saturday.

Having picked up three massive points at Lincoln City last weekend, The Gills go into the game full of confidence and a real sense of belief is starting to build that the club could in fact avoid relegation from League One.

Harris’ side go into the game sitting 22nd in the league, but crucially are now just three points from safety, although their goal difference is much worse than AFC Wimbledon’s who sit 20th and The Gills have played a game more.

If they are to survive this season, Gillingham need to keep picking up wins and although Harris believes his side are more than capable of winning again this weekend, he knows Bolton Wanderers will present a tough test as they push for the play-off places:

“Bolton are a big club at this level and have had good results. It’s another challenge, I am expecting a very competitive game.”

“They invested heavily and well in January and have had good results since. The crowd should hopefully improve again, it is a tough challenge we are looking forward to and it is a big game for both teams.”

“For us, whatever team is selected, we will be ready and organised. I think we have got better with each home performance, although we had a poor 45 minutes against Plymouth.”

“The fans are seeing a team they are proud of. I can’t look past Bolton. I need to physically get the players right. I can’t affect what happens elsewhere. On the terraces and around the town, people are starting to believe.”

“They are attack-minded, but they need to win games if they want top six. But we will be ready, organised, structured and we will have a plan with and without the ball. The players have executed plans unbelievably well so far.”

Harris watched on as a Gillingham side were beaten by Margate on penatlies in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night, but he was happy to have been able to give some of his fringe players a run out:

“Tuesday was an opportunity for me to see some players for the first time, and to give a few of them 90 minutes.

“The players that played knew why they were playing, to build confidence. Training has been good.”

“I won’t pick out individuals from Tuesday because it’s not fair, but I was pleasantly pleased with what I saw as a whole. We wanted to win but it wasn’t about that – I saw players on the pitch, and we will set up more.”

“Chris Maghoma’s leadership skills are excellent. Tom Dickson-Peters and Charlie Kelman got 90 minutes and it was really good. I saw young players on the big pitch for the first time. The players that played were there for a reason.”

For the likes of Charlie Kelman and Tom Dickson-Peters, it was a great opportunity to get minutes playing, but it seems unlikely that either will force their way into the starting eleven for Saturday.

Harris seems certain to keep faith with the side that started against Lincoln City, but he admits whoever plays, there will be a good chance Gillingham fans will have something to cheer:

“We have taken giant steps, but we have so far to go. The attitude of the players has surprised me massively with how good it was. There are lots of very good people that work at this Football Club.”

“Stats show we have tightened up. It’s a huge improvement, that was part of the reason to going to a back five. We have showed them how we want them to play. No stone is left unturned.”

“Reeves and Carayol have been on the grass – we escalated their returns because of needs must. We will have to make calls for their involvement on Saturday.”

“We need to consider injuries from all season – we want to win and have a strong squad Saturday, but we have 10 games after too.”

“We’re not at the stage to rush people yet. We got to where we are over the last seven games through balance – that is my job as a manager; balance between starters, bench, and not risking people if we don’t need to.”

Whoever does start, Harris will be hoping the fans can get behind his side as Kyle Dempsey makes his return to Priestfield having joined Bolton Wanderers in January.

The midfielder is expected to get a great reception at Priestfield, but Gillingham fans will be hoping his side return north without any points come 5pm on Saturday.

“I can’t speak for the fans on what reception Kyle will get, that will be down to them. He will get a good reception from his old teammates and staff – he was the captain of the football club.” said Harris.

“We didn’t want to lose anyone, but Kyle was the first person I saw when I came in and the deal was pretty much done. I basically just said hello and bye; the bags were packed and mentally he was already at Bolton on the back of the Oxford game. I wasn’t involved.”

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.