Gillingham manager Steve Evans has given his backing to an eight-team play-off in League 1.

A proposal put forward by Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony would see the top-two promoted and the next eight clubs fighting it out for the remaining promotion spot.

The Gills would miss out if the current positions are taken into account but, if like they have done in League 2, the table could be finalised on points per game average.

That would lift the Gills into the top 10 at the expense of the league’s big-spenders Ipswich Town.

Speaking about the prospect of an extended play-off campaign, he said: “I would trust we will give a good account of ourselves and perhaps even win them.”

It would be hard luck on some though, including Ipswich, who would miss out.

Evans added: “No big clubs can get a free wildcard, if you don’t have the points you’re not involved.”

If Gillingham took part they would have t0 undergo rigorous testing of their players. The EFL have said it would cost teams £140,000 to finish the season’s regular fixtures.

A play-off campaign would mean less fixtures, less cost, and could be one option to getting a majority of teams to agree on a way of ending the season.

Coventry City and Rotherham United would be the teams gaining automatic promotion.

Peterborough co-owner Stewart Thompson has said an extended play-off campaign is “gaining legs” among club owners who were challenging before the league was suspended.

He said: “A play-off like this is way more fair than WPG (weighted points per games) or PPG (points per game).

“It’s an easier straight up formula because what do you weigh, home form, away form, league placing form etc etc?”

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