By Luke Cawdell

Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler has questioned the character of his players following back-to-back defeats.

The Gills followed up last Saturday's 3-1 reverse at AFC Wimbledon with a defeat against Barnet in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night by the same scoreline.

Hessenthaler’s team are back in League 2 action on Saturday against Port Vale at Priestfield and the Gills boss is demanding improvements are made.

"Have we got too many players in there with soft bellies?" asked Hessenthaler.

"That’s what I told them after the game (on Tuesday). They didn’t reply and they wouldn’t because they know I am right – soft bellies and they threw the towel in. I never did that as a player, whatever was going on, we need to change that."

He added: "The players need to start listening on the training ground and doing their jobs day in, day out. Don’t talk a good game, go out there and do it."

Hessenthaler will have Matt Lawrence back, after missing out for personal reasons in midweek, while midfielder Charlie Lee returns from suspension.

Lewis Montrose is banned for a game after picking up five bookings and a number of other players are rated doubtful, including defenders Matt Fish, Joe Martin and Andy Frampton.