Steve Lovell has made no secret that his main focus is already on Saturday’s crunch clash with Bury at Priestfield.

Gillingham host Reading under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy at Priestfield on Tuesday but there is little riding on the game, with Gills already through to the next round after winning their first two group matches.

With a home game against Bury – one of only two sides below Gills in the League 1 table – on the horizon, Lovell will be taking no chances with his team selection.

“We’ll approach Tuesday with caution,” admitted Lovell. “There’s a few people playing now who are carrying little niggles.

“We’re already through in that competition so it gives me an opportunity to play some of the fringe players who haven’t had that many minutes.

“We can get them out and give them a game on Tuesday to be in contention for next Saturday.

“We still want to win the game, we still want to prepare properly.

“Saturday is a big game for us now against Bury. It’s also a big game for these boys on Tuesday who want to impress us and push themselves into the first team reckoning.”