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Gillingham manager Neil Harris is well aware of the threat Exeter will pose ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup clash.
The Gills kept a clean sheet as they drew 0-0 at home to Walsall on Saturday having previously shipped five goals in their last two fixtures.
But Gillingham’s defence will have to be on it again if they are to keep out the League 1 Grecians at Priestfield, Exeter having won 7-0 at Cheltenham in the last round and scoring 16 goals in six games so far this season, although Exeter did lose 1-0 at home to Cheltenham in the league last weekend.
“I have not had a chance to see them yet, [but] obviously we are fully aware that they won 7-0 in the last round away from home,” said Harris, who intends to make changes to his starting line-up.
“So look, we will have a look at them and think about formations and how we affect them.”
Harris is continuing to work hard in a bid to add to his Gillingham squad but he's unsure if he will be able to get any deals over the line before the Exeter match.
Speaking after the goalless draw with the Saddlers, he said: “Look, we are really trying. I haven’t checked my phone yet to see if there’s any news but that’s how serious we are on one to come in.
“What we do have to be mindful of is we have two options. You have got players that haven’t done a pre-season somewhere so aren’t going to go straight into the team, they’ll need a period to adjust, or you are going to have players that come in on loan.
“You are only going to get players that come in on loan that are going to be really young. So I have got to get the balance right, we have a young group already in the defensive areas.
“Somebody to come in and play Tuesday night? I genuinely don’t know.”
Midfielders Shaun Williams and Dom Jefferies are expected to remain sidelined but Harris is optimistic at least one will be fit to play some part as they make the long trip up to Carlisle this Saturday when they return to League 2 action.
On the returns of Williams and Jefferies, Gillingham’s manager said: “I wouldn’t have thought for Tuesday, I have got to be honest. We are really hopeful for Saturday one or both might be involved - whether it’s from the start or the bench.
“When you are a light squad, as most teams are in this division, barring five or six who have got some money to spend, if you get a couple of injured players in the same position, that leaves you a bit light.
“What I will say and place on record is I thought Ben Reeves was fantastic by the way in that deeper role [on Saturday], a role he has only played a couple of times before.
“I thought he was really good, a really calming influence. His passing range was ridiculous and his set-plays were very good.”
The Gills last met Exeter at Priestfield in the FA Cup in November 2020 when the Grecians won 3-2.
Whoever wins the Carabao Cup encounter will progress into round three where they could earn a draw against Premier League opposition.
