Gillingham face four of the bottom five in League 1 next month.

Manager Steve Lovell has described it as “massive March” and the next few weeks could go a long way to deciding Gillingham’s fate.

The Gills sit five points above the bottom four but just four points from mid-table.

With 12 games left, it’s crunch time.

Lovell, whose side start the month at play-off outsiders Fleetwood on Saturday, said: “We have a massive March coming up, playing against teams around us and they are all six-pointers.

“There are some big games coming up and with a good little run we could move up the league quite quickly.

“We have six home and six away left. This time last year we were a little bit ahead of where we are now regarding points but we had a dodgy March last year, picking up just three or four points and that can happen.”

Coming up are games against relegation-threatened sides Oxford United, Bristol Rovers, Wimbledon and Rochdale, with a trip to League 1 leaders Luton sandwiched in between.

Lovell’s team struggled during the spring last year after picking up a number of injuries. The Gills boss is better equipped this time around after bringing in a handful of recruits to ensure he has more quality in depth.

He said: “On Saturday we brought on players (from the bench) that went on and won the game for us. Regan Charles-Cook scored the goal and I am pleased for him, he is back to his best, and Brandon Hanlan is always a handful.

“Graham Burke and Leo Da Silva Lopes have been brilliant for us and the boys who were playing earlier in the season or last year are not in the team at the moment, they are being kept out.”

Forward Tahvon Campbell got 20 minutes last weekend, making his debut after joining on loan from Forest Green.

“I thought he did quite well,” said Lovell.

“There is more to come, he is a good centre-forward and he holds the ball up well. It showed on Saturday that he has a few tricks up his sleeve.

“I thought him and Brandon did well up there together.”

Lovell is planning more reserve games in the coming weeks to keep all of his players match fit while also regularly playing 11 versus 11 on Tuesdays within the group.

“Everyone has a part to play,” he said. “Three didn’t get in the squad on Saturday and it will be the same again.

“I will pick a squad that I think is capable of going to win a game and just because I leave people out doesn’t mean I think any less of them, it is just that this is what I feel we need to take for that game.”