Why this League One manager is more scared of Sunderland than Ipswich Town or Portsmouth

The Black Cats currently sit 11th in the third tier - below both Pompey and the Tractor Boys - but Evans insists that Phil Parkinson’s men will prove to be the hardest nut to crack as the Gills prepare to enter a crucial run of fixtures.

Sunderland travel to Priestfield on Saturday having lost in Kent only weeks ago in an FA Cup first round replay, with boss Parkinson looking to bounce back from a run of form which has seen him win just two of his first 11 games in charge at the Stadium of Light.

But having now welcomed back a number of key players - including attacking duo Marc McNulty and Charlie Wyke - after a ten-day break, Evans is expecting the Black Cats to be a ‘different proposition’ this time around.

Indeed, he feels Parkinson’s men will be the hardest game they will face over a festive period that also includes clashes with Ipswich and Portsmouth.

“They have had 10 days to freshen up, 10 days to get players back from injury and they will be a different proposition I guess here than what they were in the FA Cup,” said Evans, speaking to Kent Online.

“I know Phil well, he is a very gifted manager. Those last two results weren’t great and they needed a break but they knew this was coming.

“They have had the chance to get some players back in that weren’t available against us and it will be another battle.

“I think it will be the hardest of the three games, for sure.”

And while the Black Cats have struggled for form in recent weeks, Evans remains convinced that they will be in promotion contention come the end of the campaign.

“Sunderland have very talented footballers,” he added.

“They will be in the top six at the end of the season, no doubt. It will be a tough challenge."