Gillingham kick-off their controversial Checkatrade Trophy campaign on Tuesday.

The competition, formerly the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, has had an overhaul with the Gills now facing three games in the opening stage.

A trip to Millwall in October is followed by an away match the following month against Premier League West Brom, whose side must contain at least six under-23 players.

The introduction of Premier League reserve sides has angered some and boss Justin Edinburgh labelled the decision to increase the schedule with extra games as crazy.

He said: “It has been complicated. I think it is easy to try and second guess how it is going to go. They have tried something and we will go with it.

“Do we need those extra games? I think we will end up playing nine games in 27 days. It is quite crazy to be putting players through that, but we will approach it in the right way, there is no doubt about that.

“We will rest players and give players who need minutes games but the rules state you have to play five or six from today, so we will approach it in the right way.”

Ryan Jackson and Jamie O’Hara are both nearing full fitness and Edinburgh said they “might have a chance” for Tuesday.

Should the match finish level then the game will go to penalties. Winners of the shoot-out are awarded an extra point in the group stage.

The Luton game comes too soon for midfielder Scott Wagstaff but he is expected to train the following week. The summer signing was injured in pre-season.

Edinburgh said: “Waggy starts Wednesday and that is a big boost for him and for us as well. That is some real positive news at the end of a very good week.”