Gillingham take on Ipswich Town tonight in a game neither manager cares for.

Steve Evans, the Gills manager, has made it clear he has no interest in the EFL Trophy and rival boss Paul Lambert has said staging the competition this season is mental.

Evans says some of their club's youth players could be involved in their match at Portman Road and Lambert has said he'd rather the club take a fine than risk any senior payers in a competition that attracts limited attention even when crowds are allowed.

It's the second of three group stage matches for the Gills and Evans has said he could make as many as 11 changes to the game.

The Gills are concentrating on their home game against Oxford United on Saturday but the midweek match will give Evans the chance to assess some of those players who haven't had many minutes of late.

It could also be a chance for some of the club's youth players to impress. The likes of Ronnie Nelson and Gerald Sithole recently appeared for the Gills in a practice game at Peterborough. They could be given another run-out.

Gillingham do have senior players who need minutes, however, and the likes of Joe Walsh, Christian Maghoma, Robbie McKenzie, Declan Drysdale, Alex MacDonald, Henry Woods and John Akinde could all feature.

Boss Steve Evans said: "We will make a lot of changes and maybe two or three youth players that did okay when we played behind closed doors against Peterborough. They may get an appearance on Tuesday.

"The focus is Oxford, we need to be ready for that. They are a top, top class side. Two or three of the kids will be travelling on the team coach and they will be selected if we feel it is right.

"I will make lots of changes. I can't say it enough, I have no interest in the competition, none whatsoever. Last time we made eight or nine changes, it could be 10 or 11.

"Declan will probably need another game. Maghoma was our best centre half for two weeks but went out with a little virus. It gives room for those lads to say that if I play really well at Ipswich I have a chance (against Oxford)."

Evans said on Saturday midfielders Kyle Dempsey, Matty Willock and Scott Robertson are returning from various injuries but that none will be risked at Ipswich.

Fellow League 1 side Ipswich, who lost to Arsenal under-21s in their first match, are likely to field a young team themselves.

Town boss Paul Lambert has made it clear he won't be risking any of his first team players in the game, saying it's "absolutely ludicrous" to be even playing the competition in a compact 2020/21 season, adding: "Playing the EFL Trophy is really, really mental."

Teams risk a £5,000 fine if they don't play a handful of their first-team players.

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