NELSON Jardim is confident that his Newport County AFC side have the “character, quality and intensity” as he prepares make changes in the bid for a League Two upset at Gillingham tomorrow evening.

The Exiles head to the promotion-chasing Gills on a three-game losing streak after away defeats to Bradford and Harrogate then a 3-0 home loss to Chesterfield last Friday.

County paid the price for a nightmare start when a defensive clanger allowed the Spireites to hit the front inside the first minute.

Second-half pressure failed to lead to an equaliser and the visitors secured the spoils with a late brace by Will Grigg.

County now face a big week in which they travel to sixth-placed Gillingham, who suffered a fourth straight defeat when beaten 2-1 at Bradford on Saturday, and then welcome 12th-placed Fleetwood to Rodney Parade.

The Exiles have done the double over the Gills in the last two seasons but head to Kent with just one win from six games on the road this season.

BOSS: Nelson Jardim is mulling over changes for County against GillinghamBOSS: Nelson Jardim is mulling over changes for County against Gillingham (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“It will be a challenge and we are looking to do better when we play away from home. I saw in the dressing room [after the defeat to Chesterfield] the willingness to go back to work and bounce back,” said head coach Jardim.

“We need to do that on Tuesday. We showed our character, quality and intensity in the second half against Chesterfield and if we take that into Gillingham then we will be able to compete.”

Substitutes Kai Whitmore, Kyle Hudlin and Michael Spellman made an impact against the Spireites while defenders Cameron Evans and Matt Baker are also pushing for returns.

Jardim, who saw Noah Mawene limp off with a muscle injury to his right leg shortly after coming on against Chesterfield, is ready to tinker with the XI.

“We will have to make changes,” said the boss. “We need to assess how the players are but we have more options than two weeks ago and we are looking forward to bouncing back.

“The boys have shown character from the first game of the season and their strength to bounce back when things don’t go their way and I am sure that will happen on Tuesday.”

County lost three League Two games on the spin earlier this season and responded with back-to-back wins against Crewe and Salford.

They are still yet to draw this season and last shared the spoils 37 games agon when they drew with Eastleigh in the FA Cup in January. The Exiles' last league draw was at Sutton on New Year's Day.