Gillingham’s home game against promotion rivals Walsall on Good Friday has been postponed.

Their rivals chose to call the game off after three players received international call-ups.

Gills chairman Paul Scally hit out at the decision, claiming it will cost the club money.

He said: “As we all know it is a hugely important weekend for football and the fact that Gillingham and Walsall are in the top six means there will be a significant impact on the income benefits for Gillingham.

“The general opinion is that it is the wrong time of year for internationals to be planned during such an important weekend of domestic football.

“We believe we had an opportunity of the game being broadcast live and thus the postponement will cost us in the region of £50,000+ when associated match day revenue is added to the TV fee.

“We can only apologise to all our fans but this fixture change is completely out of our control.”

Walsall players Neil Etheridge, Romaine Sawyers and Jason Demetriou have been called up for The Philippines, St. Kitts & Nevis and Cyprus respectively.

Sky TV had already chosen two League 1 games to broadcast on Good Friday. They are due to broadcast the matches between Swindon and Wigan and Peterborough against Coventry.

Both teams are currently out of form, results wise, but are still hopeful of claiming an automatic promotion place.

Walsall recently promoted first team coach Jon Whitney as interim manager following the sacking of Sean O’Driscoll.

With no wins in six, Walsall’s board felt they needed a change of direction. They sit four in League 1, behind the Gills on goal difference.

They had gone top of the league at the end of October, replacing the Gills after beating Justin Edinburgh’s side 3-2 at the Bescott Stadium.

Back then they were under the management of Dean Smith but he was replaced by O’Driscoll, after taking over at Brentford.