Out of form Lincoln City will be looking to bounce back from Saturday's poor performance at home to lowly Rochdale.

The third placed Imps have two games in hand on leaders Hull City and a victory here would reduce that gap to four points.

A win for Steve Evans' Gillingham, meanwhile, could move the visitors to within a point of the play-off positions.

  • Team news

Following Saturday's dismal performance, Lincoln boss Michael Appleton is set to start captain Liam Bridcutt after a five-week lay off through injury.

“I think he has to be considered. I can’t watch that performance and not," said Appleton after the loss.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to take a risk and we’re at a point in the season where, if we don’t take those risks, the games are going to go away from us.”

Appleton added that defender Joe Walsh isn't likely to play again this season, as isn't leading scorer Jorge Grant.

In addition, Harry Anderson is still struggling to shake off a hamstring strain and centre back Adam Jackson faces a late fitness test, but there is some positive news in that attacker Remy Howarth is close to full fitness.

For the Gills Callum Slattery is making good progress from his injury, but is still a few weeks from a return. 

Evans is set to keep faith with the squad that won at Swindon Town, which includes defender Ryan Jackson who came through that game unscathed following injury.

  • Ones to watch

Striker Vadaine Oliver scored twice for the Gills on Saturday and will be looking to follow that up by getting one over his former employers on Tuesday night.

The striker is in a rich vein of form having netted six goals in his last five games.

Lincoln will have to be wary of another former striker in the form of John Akinde, should he play a part too. 

For the Imps, eyes will be on the aforementioned Bridcutt, who fans hope will bring about a change in fortunes. 

Loanee forward Morgan Rogers, meanwhile, will be looking to score for a fourth consecutive match. 

  • Predicted lineups

Lincoln City (4-3-3):

Palmer; Eyoma, Montsma, Jackson, Bramall; McGrandles, Bridcutt, Edun; Johnson, Hopper, Rogers.

Gillingham (4-4-2):

Bonham; Jackson, Cundy, Tucker, Oglive; Graham, O'Keefe, Dempsey, Lee; Akinde, Oliver.

  • What the managers said

​​​​​​​Lincoln manager Appleton spoke to the media ahead of the game and stressed it will be difficult game despite his side's comfortable victory at Gillingham last month.

“I’m expecting an onslaught for 95 minutes, because to be fair that's what we got at their place, yet we won the game 3-0 and probably should have won the game 5-0," he said. 

“They put it on us at their place and we dealt with it really well. They didn’t have many opportunities. We’re going to have to have that type of game, where we’re really solid."

Addressing the club's website, meanwhile, Gills boss Evans stated the pressure is off his side.

"Lincoln are a superb team and our task will be difficult, but all the pressure is on them," he said.

"We will need to deliver a season's best performance to return to Kent with something to show for our efforts.

"We will prepare as best we can and have a plan to execute, we will have to be SAS like in our execution."

  • Previous meeting

​​​​​​​Lincoln came away from Priestfield Stadium with a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture in front of the Sky Sports cameras. 

  • How to watch

The game kicks off at 19:00 GMT on Saturday. The game is available on each club’s respective iFollow service, priced at £10 for UK viewers and £7 for international fans.