Gillingham are expecting opponents Walsall to be fired up for the weekend clash.

Saturday’s hosts lost 4-0 at Sutton in their last League 2 outing but Gills interim manager Keith Millen knows this could work against his men.

He said: “They are hard to beat at home, I expect them to be keen to get back to winning ways, certainly at home.

“We need to make sure we are ready for the battle, the fight, the tempo. Are they going to press high? We have to ready for all of that and hopefully when the game settles down we start showing our identity and what we are going to do.

“I have been there loads of times with different teams, (it’s a) good stadium, (they) create a great atmosphere and their home form isn’t bad.”

Millen’s last visit as a caretaker manager wasn’t a bad one and he’ll be hoping for a repeat.

The 57-year-old was in temporary charge of Premier League Crystal Palace, following Tony Pulis’ exit, steering the side to a 3-0 win in the EFL Cup.

“I have had some good times there,” he said. “We won on the night in the cup and hopefully that is a good omen. I think that’s the last time I went there.”

Millen took charge of Gills’ game against MK Dons last Saturday, following Neil Harris’ sacking, winning 2-1. A much-changed side lost 5-1 to Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

He was pleased with some of the midweek performance but can’t accept the way they conceded some of the goals.

He said: “First half there were good spells of possession and that’s what I wanted to see, really pleasing.

“Second half they punished us in a spell and then it became damage limitation, about looking after the players.

“I was a defender and I want to keep clean sheets. I am really disappointed with the goals we conceded, three set-pieces.

“Thursday was about reminders of what they have done well before, because goals against have been good in the league, just reminding them of the principles of defending and the basics to make sure they do them well. If they do that we have a good chance of winning.

“It was a reminder of how to defend but I was delighted with the way we looked after the game, in the transition. That first pass when you win (the ball) is so important. In both games we have been good at that.

“Hopefully we have moved on, I certainly have and I think the payers have.”

Millen expects to have better options to choose from this weekend as their injury-list eases.

He was without half of his senior squad for their midweek EFL Trophy match at Portsmouth, with 11 missing, and it became a struggle in the second half, losing 5-1.

There was no risk taken with a handful of players that were nursing injuries from the weekend, including Robbie McKenzie and Macauley Bonne.

George Lapslie and Shaun Williams were nursing injuries and part of a group that trained on Tuesday but were left out of the matchday squad.

Ashley Nadesan (ankle) is a major doubt, however, while both full-backs will be missing. Cheye Alexander is on international duty with St Lucia and Scott Malone sits it out with a one-game suspension.

“We are looking at getting most of them back,” said Millen.

“Six of the lads who weren’t involved (on Tuesday) were injured, but nothing major. They are not nailed on to be okay but fingers crossed I will have a few more selection problems.”

Tim Dieng is back in light training after a knee injury but still some way off returning.

Millen said: “He is back on the grass, little steps, we have to be careful but for him, to just get out of the medical room was a big help. It is great to see him around the group but he is still weeks rather than days.”

On Alexander’s call-up, he said: “I am delighted. You would never want to stop a player playing for their country. I didn’t know which country he was representing and when he told me I asked if I could go with him! It’s not the worst place to go.

“Hopefully he plays and does well and he comes back ready for Monday.”

The Caribbean side play Guadeloupe twice in three days in the Concacaf Nations League. Alexander played 90 minutes in their first game on Friday, a 2-1 win. They meet again on Sunday.

Striker Lewis Walker, meanwhile, could be fit again to play for loan side Woking this weekend.

The 24-year-old scored on his debut for the National League side, away at AFC Fylde, but returned to the Gills for treatment on a hamstring injury. They play Hemel Hempstead in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round on Saturday.

Across EFL fixtures this weekend, clubs will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to those that have lost their lives following recent events in Israel and Palestine. A period of silence will also be observed before Saturday’s match.

*Gillingham’s Boxing Day home fixture with Crawley Town has been moved to an earlier kick-off time of 1pm.