Gillingham head to Port Vale this weekend looking to put an abrupt end to the four game losing streak that’s seen them drop down the League Two table.

Monday night’s loss to Southend United combined with Tuesday night’s results have seen The Gills drop into the bottom half of the table for the first time this season.

They stand five points outside the play-offs, but crucially have a game in hand, so will really need to pick up a result at Port Vale to prevent them from being cut adrift in the race for a top seven finish.

Automatic promotion has surely got to be a pipe dream now, but a sustained run could see them secure one of the place amongst the play-offs.

If they’re going to beat Port Vale, they’ll have to do it without skipper Andy Frampton who injured his ankle against Southend and now faces six weeks on the sidelines.

With his place in the side up for grabs, Andy Hessenthaler has the choice of bringing in either Simon King or Connor Essam, or moving Matt Lawrence across from right back.

The whole defence looked shaky against Southend and Hessenthaler has promised changes at the back, so maybe it will finally be the time to go with Essam along with Jack Evans at right back after the pair impressed coming off the bench on Monday.

Jack Payne is almost certain to come back into the starting eleven having come at half time against Southend, with Lewis Montrose the man most likely to drop to the bench.

New signing Ollie Lee goes straight into the travelling squad and could make his debut for the club at Vale Park after agreeing a one month loan deal.

Anything less than a point and the travelling fans could once again be asking for a refund, so Gillingham will be desperate to put on a show and stop the rot.

Gillingham could line up something like this:

Gazzaniga, Evans, Richards, Essam, Martin, Tomlin, J Payne, Weston, Jackman, Kuffour, Kedwell.

Subs: Hawkes, Lawrence, King, Whelpdale, O Lee.

Meanwhile, Port Vale’s injury problems have worsened in the past week ahead of the game.

Adam Yates faces up to two months out with a knee injury after scans revealed the defender suffered ligament damage during the draw at Bradford in midweek.

Tom Pope has been nursing a groin problem recently but he has finally succumbed and the striker will undergo surgery on Friday that will rule him out for around a month.

With Yates sidelined and the versatile Lee Collins (ankle) still not fit, manager Micky Adams may be forced to play Anthony Griffith at the back.

Rob Taylor is making slow progress in his recovery from an Achilles injury and is a major doubt for Saturday, while fellow midfielders Ryan Burge (knee) and Lewis Haldane (broken leg) remain out.