Steve Evans was upbeat ahead of the trip to Shrewsbury - bouncing back from a frustrating night in the week.

The straight-talking Gillingham manager spoke his mind after defeat to Cheltenham but was back in on Wednesday fully focused on a trip to League 1’s bottom club Shrewsbury.

He said: “When you go out of the cup and you see one or two injured and circumstances go against you, then you should feel low.

“People who go away happily whistling to their car after that are managers who don’t stay in the game for long.

“I love my job and I love working at Gillingham Football Club.

“I came here with a plan and there is no chairman in the world who could have accounted for Covid.

"You wake up Wednesday and focus on Shrewsbury and the team we can have.

“Can we go there and win? Absolutely, but it doesn't take away the fact we are very light in numbers, particularly in the striker department.

“I came here and said I would sign up for a minimum of three years and would give 110%. Many times my emotions and words take over, but the chairman would never doubt I am first in, last to bed, nobody analyses more, loads of stuff we get into and I have a very supportive chairman.

"If we have funds our chairman will tell me, if not we won’t (make signings), simple. We are totally honest with each other, good or bad.

“We have spoken about names, he is trying. I said last week, if i didn’t think the chairman was trying we would be having a separate chat. It is my job to fight and support the dressing room, the chairman always respects that.”

Gillingham hope to have striker Vadaine Oliver fit for the trip to Shrewsbury.

The hosts haven’t got a point on the board in the league yet, or even scored a goal, with Steve Cotterill’s side losing all four of their opening games.

Evans said: “They won’t continue with zero points, Steve has a fantastic squad.

"I look back at their midweek loss (losing 2-0 to Rochdale in the EFL Cup). They should be three up but the finishing wasn’t good enough and I have said many times, goals change games. Rochdale break and score and a (Shrewsbury) man gets sent off.

“They will be desperate for their first points and we will be desperate to get our first away win.

“I have huge respect for the owner and chief exec at Shrewsbury, two men I know well, and Steve I have known my whole career and he has been helpful to me many times, and I have been helpful to him.

“I was so down when he was ill with Covid but it is wonderful to know he has won that battle.”