Gillingham v Blackpool

GILLINGHAM manager Neale Cooper has admitted that the club’s problems are some of the worst he’s faced as a manager.

Cooper has just 15 fit players to choose from ahead of Saturday’s visit of Blackpool and he admits he is finding it hard to keep his spirits up.

Cooper said: "I’ve had hard times and I’ve had good times. This is one of the hardest spells I’ve had as a manager. I’ve had so many injuries it’s hard to take.

"I know it’s frustrating for supporters and we’ve got to battle on. My job is to pick up the players but we’re all feeling it. We are trying. We aren’t taking days off and have been in on Sundays working hard.

"We have to be protective of the players, though, because we’re down to 15, including kids, and we’ve got to watch the tackling."

Following Tuesday’s Carling Cup defeat at Doncaster, Cooper said "I’m a fighter" and, after time to reflect, he remains determined to turn things around.

"We desperately need a win," he said. "After coming back late from Doncaster I did feel low. That’s a natural feeling because the work the players are putting in I can’t fault.

"I’d love the option of having a fully fit squad. I’m not making excuses. We’ve got to stick together. It’s difficult but that’s my job and I have to pick myself up."

Looking to Saturday's opponents, Cooper added: "Blackpool are struggling a bit and they’ve got Murphy up-front who’s a big power-house. They’ll come here and see that things aren’t going great. We’ll have to take the game to them and cause them problems."

Keeper Tony Bullock has backed his manager and insists the players are right behind him.

He said: "We’ve got a lot of injuries but when they are back hopefully our fortunes will change.

"Everyone has got faith in the gaffer, I’ve worked with him before and that’s why I’m here, and long may he stay in the job. The players are 100 per cent behind him."

Team news

* KENT ONLINE WILL BRING YOU ALL THE CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS AHEAD OF KICK-OFF, A HALF-TIME UPDATE AND A FULL-TIME MATCH REPORT, PLUS REPORTS AND RESULTS FROM ALL THE OTHER GAMES INVOLVING THE COUNTY'S MAJOR SIDES, ON SATURDAY.