Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has promised attacking football and hopes his men can deliver on their first home game of the season.
The Gills picked up a point at Accrington last weekend in a tough game but the manager’s hoping they can be more of a force in the attacking third this weekend against Walsall.
Ainsworth could benefit from more attacking options as injured strikers Seb Palmer-Houlden and Sam Vokes, along with winger Aaron Rowe, are close to being available.
Ahead of their first home game of the season, Ainsworth said: “We’ve promised that we’ll play attacking football, we’ll get at teams, and the excitement hopefully will build as we get closer to the weekend.
“I want to try and get as much as I can out of this game. Scoring some goals at home in front of the crowd would be brilliant. Front-foot attacking football is what I want to try and deliver.”
Summer recruits Palmer-Houlden (hamstring) and Vokes (broken arm) missed the season opener at Accrington through injury.
Vokes returned to full contact training last week after recovering from an arm break which he suffered at the end of last season.
Ainsworth said: “It was ironic, wasn’t it, that the signings weren’t ready for the start last week. We’re going to try and get as many fit as we can for this game.
“There’s a bit of patience on that one. I think it’s going to be important.
“I’ve got some good players who were already here. I believe that myself and (assistant) Richard Dobson coming in almost gave everyone a new lease of life.
“I think people saw players in a different light. They were almost new signings in themselves. It’s not all about these new signings having to play.
“We’re still picking up good results. I think we were in the top six form table last year in our nine games together. If we can carry on in that vein, the new signings will add to us, not define us.
“I’m really happy with what I’ve got. I think we’re solid. I think we can build.
“I want to go and score goals. I want to go and attack teams. Hopefully, we can put it all together Saturday.”
On those players looking to make themselves available for selection, Ainsworth said: “Vokes is in full contact training now, which is great. It’s about building him up now and making sure that we have no other injuries.
“Non-contact training and contact training is something totally different. You really exert yourself in contract training.
“Vokes will play a part (in training) and Aaron will. He’s looking really sharp as well at the moment so that’s two that will be big names. Hopefully we can get them both back involved soon.”
Asked if they were likely to be available for the weekend squad, Ainsworth added: “ Yes, one of them might be.”
