Gillingham have a free weekend coming up but the players won’t be resting.

Boss Peter Taylor is keen to keep the players working hard as they chase the points needed to book their League 1 spot for next season.

Saturday’s win in Carlisle left them in 11th place but Taylor said: “Until we are guaranteed playing League 1 at least, we are going to keep working hard.

“The players thought they were going to have a few days off but I can assure you they are not.”

Gillingham have a blank weekend as their home match with Sheffield United has been postponed due to the Yorkshire side’s involvement in the FA Cup.

The Blades – struggling for form in League 1 – knocked out Premier League Fulham last week and host Nottingham Forest on Sunday. United will now visit Priestfield on Wednesday, February 19.

The additional time between fixtures could benefit the Gills, with Chris Whelpdale getting close to recovery from injury and Connor Smith, who picked up a knock to his knee, also needing time to rest.

With an easing injury list, Taylor has faced several selection dilemmas in recent weeks as he picks and chooses carefully.

He said: “I am fortunate enough to work with the players during the week.

“I see the ones who are a touch tired and the ones who need a little rest or whatever. They are a great bunch and they all deserve to play but we can only start 11.”

The Gills sit nine points clear of the relegation battle in League 1 now and ended a run of three straight away defeats on Saturday – something Taylor felt was crucial.

Taylor said: “I didn’t want the players looking at certain teams below us and looking at home games, thinking they are the games we will be looking to win.

“We needed to get some away wins somewhere and Carlisle was the perfect place to get it.”