Gillingham defender Conor Masterson admitted the players were as shocked as anyone to learn of the manager’s sacking but it’s back to business now.

Neil Harris twice signed Masterson on loan from QPR before persuading him to join permanently in the summer. The news of Harris’ departure was a blow to the young centre-half but he’s ready to put that to the back of his mind now.

“It was a shock, we weren’t expecting it,” said the defender.

“We went in at half 10, expecting a meeting about the game the other day and the Gaffer told us that he would be parting ways with the club. He came into the dressing room and told us he got sacked.

“It was surreal, a strange feeling. We had no inkling whatsoever.

“We were all a bit shocked. We were doing alright, but that’s football, it’s above our heads as players, we need to be professional and get on with our jobs, we have a big game on Saturday.

“I have a great relationship with Neil and I want to thank him for what he has done for me. He’s a top person, a great person, we all got on with him, he was well respected.

“We have to go out and get the three points. We have to give our best for the club, that’s why we’re here.

“It’s a big game for us (on Saturday) and we can go second with a win against MK Dons.”

Interim boss Keith Millen took a light training session on the Thursday before expecting the players back today (Friday) to prepare fully for the match against MK Dons.

Having a familiar face around training has been a help.

Masterson said: “He has got great experience, we are happy to have him and look forward to working with him.

“He has done it a few times as a caretaker, he knows what to expect and he had already worked with us in training.

“I know he has been with the B team but he has been around us in the last few weeks and he is a good guy, a good coach, we are looking forward to seeing what he can do.

“It is a clean slate, everyone has an opportunity now, it is a different situation to what we were in.”

Asked what his message would be to the fans, he added: “Just get behind our team, it’s been a strange situation, but we are professionals, it’s our job and we will give everything for the shirt on Saturday.

“I think the fans will get behind us at Priestfield and we are just a few points off the top. It’s a big game for us, we need to be ready.”