Gillingham boss Steve Evans won’t be reading too much into the league position of weekend visitors Lincoln City.

The Imps started the season well but have since dropped back to 17th place in League 1, level on points with the Gills but behind on goal difference.

Lincoln are a team on the up, both on and off the field, and are currently in a transition period following the departure of hugely successful manager Danny Cowley and his brother Nicky, who have joined Huddersfield.

The pair led the Imps from the Conference to League 1.

They are now under the management of Michael Appleton.

“We have been in a real tough run of games and I include Lincoln in that pack,” said Evans.

“They have the resources and the managerial appointment tells you that they think big and pay big.

“I don’t profess to know Michael but he is highly rated. I have come up against his teams on a few occasions when he was at Oxford and he did a really good job at West Brom as well. He is well regarded.

“There were some really good managers that were speaking to Lincoln, including Gareth Ainsworth, who has done incredibly well in our league.

“People said to me can you name the top six or seven in the league and I named nine.”

Assistant manager Paul Raynor is also aware of Lincoln’s threats and that a new manager means there will be instability.

“They have got some quality players,” said the Gills No.2.

“Michael Appleton is obviously trying to get his own identity into them, they have done incredibly well over the last few years with the Cowley brothers.

“They had a distinct way of playing and Michael will be looking to adapt his style and that can have its difficulties, trying to implement a new

style halfway through a season.

“Michael is a very good coach, a very good manager and it will be a tough game.

“They have had a good couple of years, on a real high.

“Our confidence is also high and we put in a great performance on Saturday, particularly second half, and we are looking forward to a good home game.”