A victory for Gillingham on Saturday would be the result of the day according to manager Steve Evans.

Gillingham are missing many of their best players through injury and haven’t scored in their last three outings. They can barely put a fit XI together and are dipping into the youth team to plug the gaps.

Weekend visitors Portsmouth, in contrast, have one of the best squads in League 1 and under the Cowley brothers (Danny and Nicky) they have started to get their act together after a mediocre start. Pompey are six unbeaten and have won their last three.

“They were always going to start winning games,” said Gills boss Evans.

“I think when people saw them getting beat, losing and drawing games, people questioned Danny Cowley’s future. That was a surprise to all of us because you look at the squad he has got but he has got them going now, it will be a real tough game for us.

“It will be the biggest upset of Saturday afternoon’s results if we can beat Portsmouth, that’s for sure.”

Evans is fighting for the Gills - despite Stevenage still interested in him becoming their next manager - and he’ll be up for the weekend even if the odds are stacked against them.

He said: “They are in brilliant form under Danny Cowley and they know they are getting to play us at the best time. These teams are getting their Christmas early when they are playing us at the moment, but we will remain disciplined, we will keep fighting.”

In a message to their own fans, who are divided on many issues at present, Evans said: “We need to be together on Saturday, that is for sure, if we are divided there is no point coming here at 3pm. We have to be as one, on and off the pitch, to try and cause an upset.”

Evans will be doing another pre-match roll call before the weekend.

Olly Lee and Mustapha Carayol were in the starting line-up in midweek but were not 100% fit and both were unable to last the 90 minutes.

Attacking midfielder Danny Lloyd and defender Rhys Bennett both have an outside chance of being involved after recent knocks while Stuart O’Keefe returns after a one-game ban.

The club, meanwhile, are waiting on whether Alex MacDonald needs an operation.

An exasperated Evans said: “We will know by the end of this week, after five weeks out, whether he needs an operation or not and I am baffled by that one. I don't know why we didn’t know five weeks ago.”

Kyle Dempsey was due an operation yesterday (Thursday) while striker Vadaine Oliver is a month away, according to Evans.

Dan Phillips was feeling a muscle strain before Tuesday’s game but managed to complete the game.

“He wanted to play so we will have to look at that,” said Evans.

“We will come back in and go with what we have got, pick a team and try and be organised and try and fight, that is what we have to do until we get some of these players back.”