Gillingham will travel to Southend on Tuesday evening expecting a win that will take them to within four points of the League One play-off places. 

Southend are currently 14 points from safety in the league table and have lost a staggering 21 of their 31 games so far this campaign. Had it not been for Bolton’s point deduction, they would be rock bottom.

Gillingham, meanwhile, are loving life. They haven’t lost in the league since November and are currently enjoying a 13-game unbeaten run. It seems as if the game can only go one way – but there is still a job there to be done by the Gills.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Gillingham from their win against Doncaster on Saturday, but the Blues may be boosted by the return of midfielder Alfie Jones, who has missed the last three games due to injury. Oliver Lee and former Southend man Stuart O’Keefe are both fully fit, whilst Mark Byrne will miss the rest of the season

The main story coming from the Southend injury table is that first choice goalkeeper Mark Oxley will be missing after having to go off in Saturday’s game against Coventry with a thigh injury. The Shrimpers are trying to sign a goalkeeper on a last-minute emergency loan deal, but it is not clear whether or not the move will go through in time for Tuesday’s game.

The hosts will also be without forward Stephen Humphreys, but Jason Demetriou, Stephen McLaughlin and Harry Kyprianou should all be fit.

Despite having a small squad, Gillingham manager Steve Evans has plenty of options to choose from with almost everyone available again. Jordan Graham and Regan Charles-Cook have been in good form, but both may have to again settle for the bench from the off.

The likes of Jordan Roberts and Brandon Hanlan look set to keep their places for the game, too. 

Gillingham won the reverse fixture back in October 3-1 thanks to goals from Alfie Jones, Stuart O’Keefe and Brandon Hanlan. Southend may be able to take confidence from last season’s result at Roots Hall, though – the Shrimpers won that one 2-0.

Last time out, Gillingham defeated Doncaster 2-1. Southend, however, lost 2-0 to Coventry City, and have lost five of their last six League One games.

It’s a game that controversial referee Trevor Kettle will oversee, but one Gillingham should come out on top in.