Steve Evans went on a scouting trip to see Coventry City last weekend and knows the Gills are in for a tough game.

Gillingham were without a match on Saturday, after their game with Bury was suspended, but Evans didn’t waste his afternoon.

He watched City beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 and said: “They won by two but it could have been six.

“I said to the boys when I came back, it was a real good Coventry performance and that is taking nothing away from Bristol Rovers, because when you break them down they have good players as well.

“I came away from their game very impressed.”

The Gills will have striker Mikael Ndjoli available again, after his one-game ban for his red card against Newport.

Regan Charles-Cook may be a doubt still, however.

Evans explained his absence: “He is just feeling a bit tender behind his knee. If he misses Coventry he will probably train on Monday and Tuesday, but hopefully he might play a part.”

Matty Willock still hasn’t featured this season, suffering with a hamstring strain.

Evans completed his four-game touchline ban on Tuesday night and will be out on the sidelines at St Andrew’s in Birmingham – Coventry’s temporary home – this weekend.

"It will be more intense because Paul and myself demand it," said the Gills boss.

"We say to the players when we shout, 'don’t listen to the shouting and the tone of the voice, listen to the content.' They are responding."

His side were cheered off on Tuesday – a stark contrast to the glum faces after a 2-1 home defeat to Burton the week before.

“I have been among the Gillingham public since June,” said Evans.

“I spoke to a few of them after the Burton game and they were very honest. I was hiding in the isles of Asda!

“On Tuesday I walked along at the end and could see the reception. They knew we could have won by five or six.”

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