Steve Lovell has plans in place should he get the nod from Gillingham chairman Paul Scally to continue as manager on a longer-term basis.

He’s prepared the Gills team for the trip to Rotherham on Saturday in what will be his fourth match in charge since taking over the reins from Peter Taylor.

But he’s also thinking further ahead, just incase.

Lovell said: “I am taking the games but I have got people giving me lists of players that I would be interested in in January if things are positive. I’ve got to do that.

“I have to carry on as if I am the manager, I don’t know how long, but I have to do it as if I am going to be here a bit longer.

“If I can get things in place then there isn’t so much of a problem when the time arrives.

“I have got my ideas on what positions that we perhaps need strengthening and I have let people know to let me know what is around and will be around in January.”

Former Stevenage boss Graham Westley remains the bookies’ favourite while Martin Allen, Steve Evans and Keith Millen have all been linked.

Lovell’s positive approach and upturn in results have led to him being backed for the job.

He said: “I think we’ve surprised teams. It is about the boys having confidence in themselves. I told them on Saturday that I believe in them and we are getting there. We will be confident of getting a result at Rotherham.”