More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Steve Evans will see what’s on offer in reserve when his Gillingham team take on Tottenham under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
Evans’ side have already been beaten by Colchester and Ipswich in the competition and complete their commitments against some of Spurs' brightest youngsters.
“We will completely change it,” said Evans.
“Some kids are deserving of a chance and we can see what they can do, and some will need some minutes. It will be completely mixed, I am guessing 10, maybe 11 changes.”
It will mean the likes of Lee Hodson, Mikael Ndjoli, Ben Pringle and Ouss Cisse will get to play.
Youngster Jack Tucker is also likely to be involved. He missed out at Sunderland last weekend after Evans turned to Barry Fuller to play right-back following his return to fitness.
Tucker had started the previous six games for the Gills.
Evans said: “Jack was a little down last week but he is a top player and he will play at a higher level than we play.
“When you are a kid you sometimes need that time when you come in, you go out, you come back in and you settle. Barry being fit made the decision easy, in fairness.”
Evans also brought striker Mikael Mandron back in on Saturday to face his former team.
Mandron started his pro career in England with Sunderland after moving over from France. He left part of a tooth out on the pitch on Saturday, following an early clash.
“I just said to him, it’s about time you started looking ugly!” joked the Gills boss.
“He is a big pretty boy isn’t he, Mika? He had a bit of a bash, got smashed by an elbow, I don’t think it was deliberate.
"I think he will give as good as he gets over a season but I think he lost the best part of a tooth. It was quite a nasty one.”
Playing against his former team helped swing Evans’ decision as he considered who to play at the weekend.
“(Playing a former club) is a massive factor,” he said.
“I had two or three options in my mind but the kid started his career there and when the cup draw was made, he was the only one who came into our camp whistling and singing about going back to Sunderland.
“We knew what it would mean to him and he did very well second half, like the rest. He was a little off it first half and not really doing the game plan but he became more of the Mika Mandron that we have most weeks.
“He was a bit powder puff in the first half but he became more physical second half and I think he gave them a real problem.”
