Andy Hessenthaler is ready to put his faith in teenage right-back Jack Evans.

The Gillingham manager is short of options in the role but is reluctant to fill the void by bringing in another player on loan.

Instead he is willing to give 18-year-old Evans a chance to prove he can handle himself at League 2 level.

Evans was recently recalled from a loan spell with Blue Square Bet South side Welling.

Hessenthaler said: "If we decide to go with Jack I am quite comfortable with putting him in. He can handle the situation."

Charlie Lee, who has been playing at right-back recently, is a doubt with a knee injury and Matt Fish (ankle) is definitely out.

Matt Lawrence could fill the role, but with two games in three days, on Saturday and Monday, it would be asking a lot for the 37-year-old to play in both games.

But the loan market is not an option for Hessenthaler.

He said: "I would be doing a disservice to young Jack Evans. He is a pro. When is he going to get his opportunity? If you go out and get someone in on loan in that area, that would knock his confidence."

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