Gillingham manager Steve Lovell is expecting a ‘ding-dong battle’ against his former employers Charlton.

The Gills beat Charlton at Priestfield under former boss Ady Pennock earlier in the season and now Lovell gets the chance to go back and have a go today (Monday).

Lovell spent six years at Charlton helping to develop young talent at the club but returns as manager of the Gills.

He said: “I have seen them enough and know most of the players there and it will be a good ding-dong battle. I am looking forward to it.

“It will be a very tough game. They haven’t won (in the league) for seven games so they will be desperate to try and turn that around.

“It will be a game we will enjoy, we’ll embrace it, have a go and enjoy the experience.

“It is a very good club, from the bottom of the academy, where I worked, right through.”

Gillingham have drawn their last two matches over the festive period, both at home, but will hope to continue their impressive performances on the road under Lovell.

The Gills boss said: “In the dressing room it felt like we lost 6-0 (on Saturday) but it was a point and another game we haven’t lost.

“I know we haven’t won and the (players) are disappointed because we haven’t.

“That is pleasing for me, knowing that they know they should have won the game. It has happened two or three times at home but it will come, it definitely will, if we keep going the way we are.”

Read more from Steve Lovell in Monday's Medway Messenger newspaper