Preview: Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth looks ahead to the match against Cambridge United in League Two this Saturday

Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth says his team will be playing with the pressure off them this weekend.

Ainsworth fielded a patched-up side that were soundly beaten in midweek by MK Dons, and the manager could be facing similar selection issues ahead of Saturday’s trip to Cambridge United.

With so many of his first-choice players in the treatment room, Ainsworth knows another tough test awaits.

“I've probably had one more [injury] from Tuesday night, which is insane,” Ainsworth said.

“[They are] all starters. We have a hell of a lot of injuries. Some may be back for Saturday but we're not going to be anything like full strength.

“That’s the reason, really, why we're coming up short a little bit and I feel for the boys.

“I know I've got to pick the boys up and get them going again but I need these boys supported and encouraged.

“Hopefully the fans will encourage us on Saturday and get right behind us. We need it.

“The reaction from the boys has been decent and I expect that because they're professional footballers.”

The Gills face Neil Harris’ Cambridge United side, who are sitting third in the table.

“There's no pressure on us,” said the Gills boss.

“With what's happened here and there's been a couple of freaky injuries in there – contact injuries – it has been mental. I've never known anything like it in my career.

“We probably haven't got the household names that people are used to but there's a chance now for people to shine and we’re the underdogs. There’s no pressure on you – go out there and give your all away from home at a promotion contender.

“But I want to go there and turn them over. Obviously it's a game we want to win. We believe we can win.

“It'll be tough, but nobody ever said this was going to be