Steve Lovell remains in caretaker charge at Gillingham as the hunt for a new manager goes on.

Chairman Paul Scally is still interviewing potential candidates.

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Bromley manager Andy Woodman remains the favourite to fill the hotseat - Gillingham have now been given permission to speak to the 50-year-old - but there has been growing speculation that Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard is a target.

Bromley have said they will want compensating if Woodman moves to Priestfield.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Scally said: “I have had some very good applicants that have come through and we are very fortunate that we have got such interest from high calibre candidates.”

Mr Scally is currently working through a list of people he wants to speak to.

In the meantime, Lovell remains in charge on a caretaker basis.

The Gills chairman said that “at the moment” Lovell will be taking the team to Wigan Athletic this weekend, along with injured midfielder Alex MacDonald, who is assisting.

Mr Scally was lifted by the performance against Burton at the weekend, saying: “I am disappointed that we lost, obviously, because I think that had we won the game it would have been an even bigger impact.

"But the players are very positive, they are working really hard, they played with tenacity against a very good side for most of the game, unfortunately Burton had four chances and scored three goals.

“Considering what happened in the week I thought they did exceptionally well. I know everyone was disappointed, but anyone who cares about the club and the position we are in, will have been lifted by what they saw.”

Lovell is happy to stay as long as required, saying: “As long as I am here I will try my best to get the best out of the boys and I thought for long periods of the game (on Saturday) we did, I couldn’t ask any more from them, they were excellent, but when we lost a couple (to injury) and the shape goes a bit, we are chasing it and they get their third goal."

Gillingham are now eight points from safety in League 1.

Lovell said: “I hate to see the team down in the position they are but that is where we are and the realism is that there is only one way you can go, you can be positive and move the way up, there is no other way, only we can do it, we will keep trying to get out of this hole.

“As far as I am concerned I will keep trying as long as I am here and how long that will be I don't know. I will give everything. I enjoyed being out there again and for the majority of the game I enjoyed it but the worst thing at the end when the whistle blows and you have lost 3-1."