Steve Lovell won’t be taking Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy match lightly.

The Gills are up against Oxford United in round two of the competition, having won all three of their group games in the opening stage.

Gillingham boss Lovell, whose side are eight unbeaten in all competitions, said: “It’s an important game for us, we want to keep the run going and I’ll put a team out there that I think should win the tie.

“We will see who is wounded (from Saturday) and who needs to play, but I will put a team out to win the game.

“It will be a proper game we want to win.”

Players like Ben Nugent and Alex Lacey will be keen for action, having linked up together in central defence for Gillingham’s recent reserve game at Ebbsfleet.

Lovell said: “Players need to play and are desperate to play. I will see.

“I am approaching this game properly. It is another first team fixture and I will make sure the boys go out and put on a show.

“These games do give me a chance to put boys in and give them minutes.

“There is a busy period coming up over Christmas, with the replay (against Carlisle in the FA Cup) too now. There are people who need minutes, the likes of Ben and Alex Lacey and DJ (Darren Oldaker) and we will need them.”

Forward Elliott List is also expected to be back involved after being left out of Saturday’s matchday squad.

“He has done well,” said Lovell. “He has been involved in most of the games but I thought he needed to have a little step back, a little rest, and he will most probably play Tuesday.”

Kick-off on Tuesday night at Priestfield is 7pm. Adult tickets cost £7 and one under-12 can go free with each adult admission. It’s £5 for all other tickets.