Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson looks ahead to Saturday's Coca-Cola League One clash with Scunthorpe United.

Speaking about this weekend's opponents at today's press conference he said: "Brian Laws been there a number of years and has done well. Brian and his number two Russ Wilcox are good lads and it will be difficult. They are a hard working side like most teams are in this league.

"I think that how hard people do stop you from playing was a bit of a culture shock for us early on in the season. It's ugly football at times but that's what you have to come up against and hopefully you get through.

"I also think that at times we're between two stools as to whether we want to play the passing game or the long ball game. We've got the players who can play, but before you can play like that you have to earn the right and get plenty of possession. To get plenty of possession of that ball you've got to have a good work ethic, you have got to be organised and you have to go and get the ball back in certain areas of the park.

"I can't fault the lads for effort though, but obviously we've lacked quality at times and I wouldn't try and wash over that because the supporters aren't silly. They understand the situation and in the summer we can look at the whole picture and address things when it's right to do so."

Looking ahead to Saturday's team news Jepson said: "We have got a few injuries as you know, Alan Pouton, Tommy black and Neil Harris are 50/50 for the game and Matty Jarvis will hopefully be back in full training on Monday, so that's bit of a plus. Darren Byfield is out due to suspension along with Michael Flynn so at this moment time it is a little bit grim. But the lads who are going to come into the team will hopefully give there all and show us they are up for the fight."

The manager felt that the team's latest injury, to Gary Mulligan, just about summed up their luck at the moment.

"Gary Mulligan came off on a stretcher last weekend at Doncaster and that just sums up our luck at the moment, but hopefully we can get over that and get through until we've got one or two back. You can sit here and feel sorry for yourself and make excuses, but I think that's a negative way to go about things.

"The lads have got to be positive. The lads who are given the shirt are professional footballers and if they're not up to the task, then they know they shouldn't be here. Between now and the summer, I would like a few of the lads who are put out there in a Gillingham shirt to show me and the supporters that they're worthy of a contract at the end of the season.

"As a player, when you're not getting into the team you should be hoping for injuries as it gives you a chance. I hope these lads are the same and that when they get an opportunity they show they're going to be valuable to the club. We just want them to be determined, to go about the job in the right manner and to go out there and express themselves - that's what they're paid to do.

"The younger ones, especially, should be really hungry. The young pros also know that you can hide behind people for so long and play in the reserves, but what you get paid for is out there in the first team.

"Looking ahead to the remainder of the season Jepson concluded: "We've dipped a little bit in the last couple of home performances, but you have got to give the other teams credit for coming to Priestfield and doing quite well.

"It's going to be difficult at this stage of the season as there's about 10 or 11 teams who can drop into the bottom four. It's not going to be pretty - it's going to be all hands to the pump - but hopefully we've got the bottle and the determination to get us enough points to stay in this league."

By Jack Clarke