Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler admits that contract issues need to take a back seat while the club attempt to achieve success in League 2 this season.

The Gills are in the thick of the promotion race and head to third-placed Shrewsbury on Saturday aiming to finish the month unbeaten.

Hessenthaler (pictured) knows numerous players in his squad will be thinking about their long-term futures but, for now, the Gills boss is only concentrating on one thing.

He said: "The boys have got to achieve something this year. We have got to do something come the end of the season. That’s what we set out to do and that’s what we’re all focusing on.

"There will come a day, or a stage, where I will have to sit down with players but at the moment we just want to keep the ship going the right way."

Up to 18 of the present squad could leave in the summer and Hessenthaler appreciates their concerns.

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He added: "We can’t leave it for too much longer because players want to know where they are.

"But the chairman also doesn’t know what league we’ll be in and what budget we’re going to have."

Occupying Hessenthaler’s thoughts this week have been plans to stop a Shrewsbury side who have won their last four games.

There are likely to be few changes in the Gills team, with defenders Simon King (hamstring) and Josh Gowling (ankle) not fit. Joe Martin also needs more rest to recover from a damaged cheekbone.

Garry Richards and Andy Barcham rested their ankle injuries at the start of the week but both should be fit for the weekend.

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