EDINBURGH:”WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE”

Gills manager Justin Edinburgh talks to the press ahead of Monday's fixture against Bolton Wanderers

Gills manager Justin Edinburgh says everybody involved with the club is looking forward to taking on the division’s form side Bolton Wanderers in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Monday night.

The Gills return to Sky Bet League One action for the first time since November 26 at the Macron Stadium, and take on a Wanderers team who sat second in the table ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

Edinburgh on…facing Bolton: “Bolton are a big team with a big budget, and are where they should be in the league. They’ve won eight of their last nine, so we’re fully aware of the challenge.

“They’re direct, physical, strong and powerful; their players have got plenty of experience of this division and also the Championship. We’re going to have to be at our best with and without ball to get anything out of the game. But I know the players are looking forward to it, it’s a challenge for them and they want to take up the gauntlet and produce.

“We’ve been on TV a few times now and not picked up a result, so we want to show the viewing public what we’re about.”

“We’ve worked hard, we’ve done a lot of strength and conditioning work with the players, and trained on the grass, too. I believe we’ve used the time wisely and I hope this period stands us in good stead going into the busy Christmas period and the New Year. Edinburgh on…the 16-day gap between games:

“We’ve been conditioning the players and we’ve done a lot of testing with them. It’s been a thoroughly good few days for us to work with each individual player.

“We picked up some good form before the gap. But there’s still lots of room for improvement. We’ve been able to start keeping a settled side and had our best players continuously available for selection, so it’s no surprise the results have picked up.”

“Billy Knott picked up a hamstring injury against Rochdale, but it’s improving and he’s out on the grass with the physio, building up his fitness. We’re hopeful that he may be available.Edinburgh on…squad selection:

“Frank Nouble is up to speed now, and Chris Herd has followed his own programme to help him [get fully fit after an ankle injury sustained earlier in November]. We think goalkeeper Jonathan Bond will come back to the club at the end of the week [following a groin injury] and Ryan Jackson is training again.

“It’s now easier to remember who’s injured [compared to the start of the season], when we had a list [of injuries] as long as my arm. It’s looking good and we want that competition for places.”

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