Gillingham boss Steve Lovell is ready to give others a chance following Saturday’s poor showing.

The Gills were beaten 3-1 at home by Doncaster Rovers, just days after completing the double over league leaders Portsmouth.

Lovell admitted that some of his players were looking fatigued and is ready to make changes for their New Year’s Day trip to mid-table Southend.

“I think I will mix it up again on Tuesday,” he said. “There are a few players that look a bit jaded.

“We have players in the squad who have been waiting to have a go and let’s give them the opportunity, let’s see what they can do.

“Perhaps now is the time to give those boys a go.”

Leading scorer Tom Eaves is a likely starter having come off the bench at half-time on Saturday, having missed the previous two games with a thigh injury.

Eaves had a hand in Gillingham’s late consolation against Doncaster after replacing Brandon Hanlan.

Lovell explained the switch, saying: “I wanted to change it up. I thought he (Hanlan) was getting battered by their two centre-halves, they were big lads.

“Bringing Tom on and pushing Elliott (List) and Josh (Parker) a little bit wider helped it a little bit.

“It was hard for Tom, being out for a few weeks and then coming on with all the expectation, but hopefully he will be raring to go on Tuesday.”

Prior to Eaves’ introduction, there had been speculation about his future, with rumours of a move away from Gillingham in January, but Lovell isn’t getting caught up in any of that.

“I am not talking about it,” insisted Lovell. “Everyone else is, there is nothing to talk about, he is our player.

“He will play on Tuesday and hopefully he will play for us until the end of the season.”

Defeat to Doncaster was a blow, but Lovell is not getting too downbeat. He said: “We have another 21 games to go of the season. 2018 is gone and we look forward to 2019. That’s what we have to do.

“Hopefully we don’t give Southend the three goals like we did on Saturday.

“You can’t give anybody goals, that is what we did and that is what is disappointing.

“We have to forget about it and concentrate on the next one.

“I am the same way win or lose, it is a matter of getting onto the next game, this one is gone. You concentrate on the next one and now it’s Southend.”