Andy Hessenthaler is hoping his Gillingham team can maintain their high footballing standards for this weekend’s trip to Crewe.

The Gills played well against Championship Brighton in the Carling Cup and Hessenthaler is looking for a repeat performance tomorrow (Saturday) in League 2.

Hessenthaler (pictured) said: "The players are quite upbeat with the performance against Brighton and I can’t praise them enough.

"I know what fans demand. They want players to wear the shirt with pride and I thought they did that.

"They did everything they could to try and win. The fans will be encouraged by the workrate, effort and performance. We have set ourselves a standard and need to maintain it."

Hessenthaler admits it is unlikely a new striker will be signed in time for the weekend, which will leave Danny Kedwell playing alone up front again, something the Gills boss feels isn’t detrimental to their efforts in the short-term.

"I think that system works as long as Kedwell doesn’t get isolated and gets support," said the Gills boss.

For the long-term, Hessenthaler admits finding a partner for Kedwell is vital.

"Keds will burn out sooner or later with the amount of work he does up top on his own," Hessenthaler admitted. "We do need to look at getting him a partner and are talking and trying, and hopefully in the next week or 10 days we might have somebody.

"I wouldn’t have thought we would have someone in for Saturday."

Hessenthaler should have Danny Jackman and Dennis Oli back available this weekend, after both sat out recently with illness but Luke Rooney serves the second of his three-match ban.

Charlie Lee came off in the defeat at Brighton after picking up a shoulder injury which Hessenthaler hopes won’t keep him out.

He said: "He has got a knock on the bone and might have to have that checked out.

"We will keep our fingers crossed there is no break."

Picture: Barry Goodwin

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