Gillingham’s weekend opponents Tranmere Rovers were without a midweek Carabao Cup game because of a power cut.
Tranmere were due to host Burton in the Carabao Cup first round but a large area of Birkenhead was left without power on Tuesday night, leading to the game being called off.
The power was set to be restored by the following day.
“I’m hoping they fix that by Saturday because we feel like we’ve got some good momentum going,” joked the Gills boss, after his own team lost on penalties to Wimbledon.
Tranmere had a tough season last time out, finishing 20th in League 2, but their form drastically improved late in the season after handing Andy Crosby the job, initially, on an interim basis.
Crosby guided the club to six wins and five draws from 13 games, ending the season with a dominant 4-1 away win against Newport and was handed a permanent contract.
Like the Gills, Rovers opened their new campaign with a draw but their weekend result was a lot more emphatic, thrashing Ainsworth’s old team Shrewsbury Town 4-0.
“I’m not surprised by that,” said the Gills boss. “I thought they thoroughly deserved it. They were a good side.
“They’ve signed well in the summer. Andy Crosby took over at the end of last season and got some good results, very similar to myself.
“He’s a good manager. We’ve got to be wary of Tranmere, especially at their place. They’re some good players.
“We’ve noticed them. We know what their strengths will be. We hopefully know what we can hurt them with and hopefully we can get the points.”
The Gills could have Aaron Rowe back after the winger stepped up his training after missing pre-season with an injury. Summer signing Sam Vokes isn’t far behind.
Ainsworth said: “Aaron Rowe has been training with us now. I think he’s considered fit again, which is great.
“We’re going to have some selection issues coming up.”.
Ainsworth is hopeful that Shad Ogie can shake off a midweek knock but fellow centre-half Conor Masterson is likely to be out for several weeks.
Striker Seb Palmer-Houlden remains sidelined after pulling a hamstring against Dartford in pre-season.
The Gills boss said: “Seb’s not far behind. He’s done fantastic in pre-season.
“He would have impacted Tuesday’s game with his energy and he would have been great as well but unfortunately, he’s still in the treatment room. We have seen him out on the grass, which is positive.”
