Gillingham manager Steve Evans says he’s likely to be working with the same budget next season but is keen to stay.

Evans has had a meeting with chairman Paul Scally to discuss their future plans and those talks will continue after Sunday’s match with Plymouth Argyle, their final game of the season.

The Gills boss wants to know he can challenge next season in a division that could be even tougher with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County facing relegation to the third tier and some big teams missing out on promotion this year.

Evans said: “I have had a meeting with him and he said the budget would be where it is now, it is not going to change, we are not going to chop it, we are not going to increase it.

“It is no hidden secret that we have the lowest budget in League 1, so that in itself is a challenge but I have just watched the likes of Bristol Rovers get relegated who have got around two and a half times our budget, Northampton again almost double, and it is not about money.

“I am looking at Ipswich and they have missed out, Sunderland might not go up, I am looking at these big investments and the big money spent, but it is not all about money, it is about recruitment and getting the team and the model right.

“Last summer was difficult because two out of our three best players left, we had six players training on a cricket pitch in Canterbury. At the same time our chairman was quite rightly scratching his head and wondering when football would restart.

“(Next season) we need to make sure we get our recruitment right like we did in January. We need to make sure every penny of the club’s money takes us towards that top group.”

Gillingham could have extra funds yet available dependent on how the summer goes on the transfer front. Captain Kyle Dempsey has been a target for other clubs while Jack Tucker has also attracted attention. Both would command fees. Leading scorer Vadaine Oliver is also understood to be under contract.

There is no guarantee Evans will be at Gillingham but one of the main things that attracted him to the role in the first place was a challenge.

“I believe it is likely I will be here,” he said.

“I went (into the meeting with the chairman) with an open mind, all the cards were on the table, we were very honest, there were disappointments, there was middle ground, there was highs and there was honesty in the room, with two men across a table having a very open and frank review and discussion.

"The one thing we agreed was that if we get the plan right going forward that gives us a chance. I believe I will be at Priestfield (next season).”

Evans will be meeting his current squad on Monday. Contract talks are already under way with players who have expiring deals, such as Jordan Graham and Connor Ogilvie.