Manager Neil Harris has warned the Gillingham supporter of what to expect when they face Southampton tonight.

His side are expected to spend much of the night chasing the ball against the Saints in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

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They come up against a Southampton side who finished bottom of the Premier League last season. Under new boss Russell Martin they also got off to a winning start, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 on Friday night.

Harris said: “Southampton should never have got relegated from the Premier League last season, (it was an) absolute disgrace how their squad got relegated.

“I watched them against Sheffield Wednesday and I think they made 47,000 passes! They will probably make more against us. That’s what the game is going to be.

“If anyone is coming to watch expecting us to have the ball, don’t bother coming. I will make as many changes as I physically can, to protect my players.”

The Gills reached the fourth round of the Carabao Cup last season.

Wimbledon and Exeter were seen off in the early rounds before the Gills defeated Brentford on penalties and then enjoyed an evening out at Wolves, losing 2-0.

Southampton reached the semi-final of the competition last season, losing out to Newcastle United.

Harris could rest some of his key men for the midweek clash.

The Gills were missing Tim Dieng, Oli Hawkins and Conor Masterson for the opening game of the season on Saturday and don’t want to pick up any more knocks ahead of the weekend league match with Accrington.

Midfielder Dieng is out with a calf strain, which he picked up in training on Thursday. Masterson is expected back soon while Hawkins is edging closer after suffering with a heel injury.

Harris must now decide just how much he wants to shake things up.

He said: “What we have got is what we have got at the moment.

“I will try and make as many changes as I can but we want to be competitive.

“This game is not the priority, Accrington (on Saturday) is the priority, the utmost priority.”

Harris had players who came off the bench and made an impact at Stockport, particularly forward Ashley Nadesan, who could be one of those to be rewarded with a start.

Goalscorer Robbie McKenzie, left-back Max Clark and forward Jayden Clarke all helped the Gills pick up a weekend win after coming off the bench.