Gills midfielder Steven Gregory believes there is no better time to play the league leaders.

Leyton Orient travel to Priestfield on Boxing Day for the first of four festive fixtures in the space of nine days.

The Gills head into the game in confident mood, after picking up a point against high-flyers Peterborough and taking all three on the road at Tranmere.

“That is a good game for us,” said Gregory, who has played a key role in the last two matches for the Gills.

“They are top of the league but we have had two decent results and two good performances. There is no better time for us to play them.

“We are full of confidence and everyone wants to play the best team. Everyone is raring to go and hopefully we can get a result.”

The Gillingham players have been allowed Christmas Day at home with their families by boss Peter Taylor.

They return on Boxing Day to face an Orient team sitting top but only on goal difference, after suffering a 3-2 defeat at home to Crawley last time out – only their third loss of the season.

Orient defender Scott Cuthbert said: “If we pick up a result at Gillingham then (the Crawley result) is all forgotten about and it’s business as usual. We are still top of the league and we are still the team to beat.”

The Gills are likely to be without Myles Weston (hamstring) while Chris Whelpdale (leg), Amine Linganzi (hamstring) and Danny Hollands (knee) are doubts.

Leading scorer Danny Kedwell is out, as he awaits news on a possible hernia. He was hoping to find out more on Monday but was left frustrated after the specialist cancelled his appointment.

Kick-off at Priestfield is at 1.30pm.