Gillingham will be looking to end their run of defeats on Saturday when a former manager returns to MEMS Priestfield as the Gills bid to snap their three-game losing streak.

Steve Evans returns to Kent with Bristol Rovers looking to pile more misery on the Priestfield faithful as they have seen their heroes concede thirteen in the last three games – the 5-1 home drubbing by MK Dons, the 5-0 mauling by Cambridge last weekend, before the much improved but still frustrating mid-week defeat to Swindon Town.                                           

Talking to KSN at this week’s briefing, Gareth Ainsworth told us, “I have said that we were waiting on the injured players to return and those that did on Tuesday were a blessing, and I think we all saw the improvement in the performance from the players coming back, so we are looking forward to Saturday’s game now – the lads have been in recovery!

“I know we got beaten which isn’t what we want but more of that sort of performance is exactly what we want and if we can create as many chances’, things will turn, I am sure. But again, it’s been tough, really tough!

“We have had a real roller coaster of a season what, with one thing or another, we really have and that’s including me! It has just been one of those seasons, but it was great to see some familiar names back in the team on Tuesday!”

More “familiar” names bring Bristol Rovers to MEMS Priestfield this weekend as Steve Evans and his assistant Paul Rayner will be in the visitors dug out! “Steve is a great guy,” Ainsworth told us.

“It’s been a very similar time frame in how we have managed together! Huge respect to Steve for what he has done at his various Clubs. We have always had full bloodied battles when our paths have crossed, and he did a brilliant job here at Priestfield too as well.

“So, all of those things will come into Saturdays game but the main thing that we are focused on now is that training goes well for the rest of the week so that we are ready and everyone is in the frame of mind to come on Saturday, get behind the team, be part of the team and get the result that we want.”

“Hopefully we will have one or two more back after they missed Tuesday, but I’m too long in the tooth in this game to know that you cannot put targets on injured people coming back as there always seem to be a little hic-cup in their rehab where they need extra time. And then there’s always the curve ball when someone comes in with an illness or an injury in training!

“You have to be adaptable in this game – we will be looking at a very strong squad if we can get everyone fit but that said, I know that there will be one or two still missing. On Saturday, I do know that we will be competitive and that is what I have been missing in recent weeks – I think that there has been a real eye opener for come players about how you need to play if you want a career in professional football.

“This is what it takes, this is what you are up against, and it will be no different on Saturday. We will be up against a team who are all old, seasoned pros who all know how to play the game. They have a manager who is very experienced and we will have to be on our game, as I tell the boys every week, live everything about being a footballer – you are very luck and it goes quick so grasp every second you can!”