Gillingham’s weekend challenge could be their toughest so far according to boss Neil Harris.

Visitors Mansfield have made a solid start to their League 2 campaign under Nigel Clough’s management and will provide a stern test to a Gills side growing in confidence but still desperately short of wins.

• More: 'I was ready to jump in with the fans! - Mandron

Harris’ side have drawn three of their last four league fixtures and start the weekend 22nd in the table, with just one win on the board so far from eight outings. Mansfield sit eighth.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Harris said: “They have a really experienced manager in Nigel, a really good guy, and a top side at the level.

“They are a team with very good players at the level, when you have good players and a good budget then you earn the right to be at the top of the division.

“We know it is going to be another stern test and probably the toughest so far. Having watched their games they have got some good players, but we are thriving at the moment and excited to be back at Priestfield.

“It was a long trek on Tuesday (drawing 1-1 with Grimsby) and where we are really excited is off the back of Swindon (last time at home) in the atmosphere and the performance, even though it was 0-0 and a brilliant result in the circumstances. We can’t wait to get going on Saturday.

“We have not had the results to back-up some of the performances, we are in confident mood and we are looking forward to it, looking forward to the atmosphere, definitely, with the minute’s silence and then singing the national anthem, I am looking forward to that, I know fans will respond off the back of it and I expect my players to respond.

“We feel we are improving as a group and that gives us real heart to look forward to the game.”

• More: Turner must wait for another chance to shine

Harris knows they need to back-up their recent performances with wins to see them climb up the table but hasn’t seen anything in the division to worry him.

He said: “We have lost a couple of tight ones, I can accept losing away from home at somewhere like Tranmere but when you lose at home to Harrogate, where I felt we got sucker-punched. We were the better team and got done on the counter-attack. Other than that, I’ve been disappointed in games we’ve not won because we have generally been the better team.

“It is my job to get the results and players to take ownership. We know we are close, very close.

"We saw an outstanding performance from Mika Mandron after the goal (against Grimsby). It has given him great confidence and the team great confidence in him because if he plays like that we have one hell of a No.9 at the level."

Midfield duo Dom Jefferies (hamstring) and Olly Lee (tendonitis) have been missing of late while Scott Kashket (groin) came off on Tuesday and will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness before the weekend. David Tutonda was left out on Tuesday and will be pushing hard for a return to the matchday squad.