Gillingham v Mk Dons preview | Interim manager Keith Millen looks ahead to League 2 match at Priestfield

Interim manager Keith Millen admits he needs to get the players focused ahead of their weekend game with MK Dons.

Neil Harris’ sacking came as a shock to the players, many of whom chose to sign for the Gills only recently because of the man in charge. They were told of Harris’ dismissal on Thursday morning before training.

Players like Scott Malone, Conor Mahoney and captain Shaun Williams have a long association with Harris, while defender Conor Masterson has spoken previously about how having Harris at the club was key to him joining. Malone said the same only last week.

Millen took training on Thursday but admitted the session was only light, sending the players home to clear their heads ahead of what he hopes will be a more focused session today (Friday).

He said: “I spoke to the players and, like always, the first day when this happens there is shock, and disappointment and it doesn’t matter what I say to the players.

“We didn’t train much (on Thursday) it was more about getting the lads into the fresh air and sending them home to clear their heads and then hopefully when they come in on Friday trying to focus on an important game on Saturday.

“I think you have to give them a 24-hour grieving window, they might not all be grieving, but you have to let them have that period and after that, they are professional footballers contracted to Gillingham Football Club.

“I said to them, ‘What was your goal at the start of the season?’ They said promotion and I asked ‘Has that changed? No. That is the mindset for Friday.

“My job is not a physical thing, it will be a mental thing to try and get them into a positive mindset to perform well to try and win the game.

“I have had situations before where there has been that shock