Striker Lewis Walker will be among the Gillingham players given the chance to impress again as EFL Trophy action makes a quick return to Priestfield.

Just a week on from Gills’ impressive comeback victory against Brighton under-21s, League 2 rivals Colchester United cross over into Kent.

It will be Gillingham’s final match of the group stage and victory would give them a chance of qualifying for round two. The win over Brighton included a double from Walker and it proved a decent night for the club.

Manager Neil Harris will hope for another productive evening at Priestfield.

“It is an opportunity for whoever comes in to the team,” said the manager.

“It’s an opportunity for players to find some rhythm and some form, an opportunity for them to score goals. I have been flexible with the team selection, I am prepared to give people an opportunity. Tuesday provides an opportunity for minutes on the pitch but also to get some confidence, form and belief and we saw that with Lewis Walker on Saturday, when he came in, he looked energetic, almost like a different player, that comes from his cameo performance the other week against Sutton and his performance (against Brighton) and ultimately the rest of the lads have to take a leaf out of his book.”

Harris labelled the competition pointless ahead of that Brighton game but the management admitted the night worked out better than expected after the win.

“We got a lot out of it,” Harris said. “This week is an opportunity for people to get minutes again, Bailey Akehurst played in the under-18s (on Saturday) and he might come back into the thinking. Josh Chambers didn’t get on the pitch (at Crewe on Saturday).”

Defender Haji Mnoga is cup-tied, David Tutonda is out after a knee operation, Shaun Williams could be rested after picking up an ankle injury in last week’s Trophy game. Stuart O’Keefe, Olly Lee and Ben Reeves are all expected to be absent.

Walker was hoping his two goals against Brighton would have got him a start at Crewe but Harris stuck with Mikael Mandron to partner Scott Kashket up front.

Harris said: “I spoke to Lew in depth about my decision, where he is at and how far he has come, it was the best conversation I have had with him since he has signed because he is really developing now.

"He knows I am really patient, he knows he has had to be patient with himself and wanting to play as well, but he scored two the other night against a young side and it is not just about scoring, it is his all-round game as well. He is progressing, that is all I can ask of my players.

“Lewis Walker will play on Tuesday night and he will be full of confidence.”

Opponents Colchester recently changed manager, handing Matt Bloomfield his first chance of taking a professional side. He picked up his first league win on Saturday against Harrogate Town, days after a victory in the EFL Trophy against Charlton Athletic.

Former Gills striker John Akinde scored the U’s winner against Charlton, netting in the second minute of injury-time - his first goal this season. That 2-1 win followed the a victory over Brighton by the same scoreline in their opening group stage.

Akinde came off the bench on Saturday and could start at Priestfield, which will be his first appearance back at ME7 since leaving in January. Another former Gills player, Frank Nouble, scored in the weekend league win. Kick-off tonight (Tuesday) is 7.45pm.