Gillingham are heading into a daunting Christmas schedule but it’s one boss Steve Lovell is relishing.

He takes his improving side to fifth-placed Charlton on Saturday before welcoming table topping Portsmouth to Priestfield on Boxing Day.

Another top six side, Doncaster, are then heading to town before the year is out.

“It’s a busy time but it can be a good time,” said the manager, who oversaw Gills’ first ever win at Charlton a year ago and in the same season led them to an historic maiden victory at Portsmouth.

“The next three games are against teams in the top six, teams in form, so it will be interesting, a good challenge for us and a very tough Christmas, with the FA Cup tie (against Cardiff City) just after and Southend (on New Year’s Day) before that.

“The next five games are very, very important.”

Charlton have lost one in seven in the league, including victory at Portsmouth, but Lovell said: “They are on a good run but we will prepare and play our own way.

“Our away form is very good, so there is no reason to fear them.

“Lee Bowyer (the Charlton manager) has turned it around a little bit there. I know a lot about the club, we have done our homework and they will have done on us but it depends what happens on the day.”

Lovell will certainly be hoping his team start better than they did last weekend, conceding twice inside 20 minutes.

“We gave them two goals with two bad defensive headers and that was disappointing,” said Lovell.

“After that we played very well and got back into the game. We came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 so it is like a win for us.”