Gillingham included four teenagers at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday but manager Steve Evans admits they are nowhere near ready for the first team.

They might be needed again for the trip to Crewe Alexandra this Saturday as it’s needs must for Evans and his injury-hit squad.

Evans said: “The boys will be around us and the one thing they are is they are fantastic young men, they come from good families and speaking to (youth striker) Joe Gbode at the hotel before the game (at Cheltenham) he is a humble young man who is keen to be successful.”

Gbode is only 16 and came off the bench for his debut in their FA Cup replay.

He said: “The kid scores goals. He scores goals in the under-18s but you can see that is a million miles away from this.

“He has been a revelation in the youth team. I have got told to play youth players and he is the best one but he is a million miles away. He will be a good player, Bailey (Akehurst) will be, but he is a million miles away. Gerald (Sithole) the same. I didn’t see too many Cheltenham players who were 16 and 17.

“Are they ready and good enough? Maybe in time.”

Asked if it was fair on the young lads, Evans said: “No, it is not. It is not good enough for the kids. We have to think of the players now, in a year’s time, two years and three, you can play players who are not ready and they will not come back from it.”

There are currently no other options.

Injuries have ruled around 10 players out and possibly more and Gillingham can’t have more than 24 professionals in their squad under the terms of their monitored loan agreement, as clarified by chairman Paul Scally last week.

With two out on loan, striker Charlie Kelman sent back to QPR and up to 12 missing, it leaves Evans with no other option but to keep using the youngsters.

More on the Gills;

• Gills ask permission for goalie to play outfield

• Manager responds to Stevenage speculation

• Steve Evans angry about late penalty call