It’s Gareth Ainsworth’s first game back in the Priestfield dug out on Saturday since his heart operation as managerless Barrow come to Kent in League Two and the Gills boss can’t wait…

Speaking to KSN after enjoying his Club Christmas meal at Priestfield with the players and all the staff, Ainsworth told us, “Will be the first time – been a long time!”

“Was in the stand for Barnet and Crawley – it does feel like it’s been a while, but hopefully it’ll be an early Christmas present, but I can transfer that to the fans, then even better.”

“It would be great to start what is almost the Christmas period with a win, but there is no way in a million years that I am going to disrespect Barrow.”

“They are coming down to play well – they are all League footballers, and we will have a job on our hands. But I believe in my boys and I believe that we can win the game!” 

Ainsworth was referring to the fact that Barrow will arrive in Kent with Neil McDonald in temporary charge following Andy Whing’s departure on Wednesday after six league games without a win after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers, but Ainsworth remained focused.

“It’s changed the pictures of what we will face and it’s lucky they did it then and not Thursday as it gave us a chance to delete most of the presentation that we put together!”

“It happens – it’s football management and I wish Whingy all the best in his next venture. But Neil taking over, we know that he’s very experienced.”

“We’re somewhat guessing what’s coming, but it will be all about us.” 

“We have told the players that Saturday will be all about what we are doing, and it’s one of the few games in the season that we won’t be able to analyse too much or show patterns of play because it will be new!”

“So, we want to make sure that we impose ourselves on the game. We are at home – the fans on the road have been super and got behind us, but back here, I want to win the game as Crawley and Barnet were two draws – two decent performances, but still two draws – and we want to start winning the home games and we have asked the boys to put on that display on Saturday for the fans, for themselves, to try and get the points!”

“Today is something that we always do as the lads have it tough over Christmas with days off and things – it’s still one of the best jobs in the World as I guess many would want to do it, but we all want to spend Christmas with our families.”

“So, a couple of weeks before Christmas we do it and we have done it everywhere we have been, having a Christmas meal together and a bit of a singsong at the end!”

KSN can reveal that the rendition of “The Last Waltz” literally reduced those at the briefing to tears! 

Looking ahead to Saturday’s squad news and the manager confirmed that his squad is now getting close to full strength as he confirmed that Conor Masterson is back training on the grass as is Euan Williams, which Ainsworth admitted was great news ahead of six games in three weeks including the four in eleven days across Christmas and New Year.