With the eyes of the nation on Priestfield this Saturday lunchtime, Gillingham boss Neil Harris goes into this weekend’s FA Cup Third Round tie with former winners and Premier League Champions Leicester City with renewed optimism following the events of this week.

A new owner and behind the scenes help for the manager coming following the appointment of Kenny Jackett as Director of Football and Andy Hessenthaler as Head of Recruitment, Harris admitted to the packed press briefing this week that this Third-Round weekend is among his favourite days of the year.

“I can see the excitement on your faces, and I can assure you that I’m just as excited if not more so! We’re all really looking forward to it especially as there has been so much going on at the Club this week.”

“You know I think it one hundred percent suits us not having a League fixture this weekend – we were supposed to have Crewe here, not because we fear Crewe but it’s the first few days of the window and we’ve already brought Tom Nicholls into the building but he’s Cup-tied so can’t be involved this week.”

“It gives us time to get the new structure in place whilst we have a wonderful day for the Club. It gives us some time to get the right players in and it’s a massive opportunity to enjoy a packed Priestfield.”

“It’s a one-off competition – there’s nothing else to consider at 12.30 on Saturday other than ninety minutes of football, everything else this week is irreverent. We cannot forget what’s happened so far, but we’ve told the players this week to put it to the back of their minds.”

“Do not think or fear what’s going to happen after 3pm on Saturday – it’s all about enjoying every minute up to the game for what it is… a one off Cup game against a former winner and a former Premier League Champion. As I said before both our games so far, the FA Cup is all about upsets and romance with everyone looking on saying “Gillingham could be beaten by Fylde” and then “Gillingham could be beaten by Dagenham” – we didn’t!”

“But now the same people are sitting there watching their TV saying, “Leicester could be beaten by Gillingham” so we now have a chance to be the hero as we’ve been professional in the first two rounds and now, we have a chance for the romance on the biggest stage of all.”

Harris confirmed that Jake Turner would start in goal following Glenn Morris’ return to Crawley although the Gills boss didn’t rule out a possible return for the keeper.

He also confirmed that Haji Mnoga has returned to Portsmouth whilst on the injury front, sadly Ben Reeves’ season is over following his knee injury against Colchester United on Boxing Day and Lewis Walker is also unlikely to feature this weekend as the Gills will struggle to fill the nine places on the substitutes bench.

“Leicester are a world class team. You have to use the words “contain” and “compete” because they’re capable of opening you up in an instant. They won’t want to lose to a team from the Leagues below as if you do it’s an upset, so every game is different.”

“But we can look forward to this one, really look forward to it because whether it’s for fifteen minutes or for ninety minutes we can dream…”