David Wetherall expects to be in the dugout at Gillingham on Saturday.

Peter Jackson has sounded out a couple of possible candidates about assisting him at the City helm.

But Wetherall is likely to still be in the post for the next game – and Jackson has given him his full backing.

City’s youth-team coach stepped up after Jackson’s anticipated deputy did not materialise.

And the interim boss has praised Wetherall’s input during his first few days in the job.

Jackson said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Dave. A certain person let me down at the weekend so straight away we had an excellent chat and he agreed to help me.

“I didn’t have to persuade him. He’s enjoyed working with the first team and the response we’ve had has been very pleasing.

“He is very well respected with the players here and has done some good training sessions.

“I had a long talk with Dave after the reserve game. He wants to go back to working with the juniors because he enjoys that job but he also fully understands the situation.

“I’ve known him a long time and can trust him totally. He is a thorough professional.

“At the moment I would say it’s highly likely that he will be on the bus to Kent with us. I’ve no problem with that at all.”

Centre of excellence manager Peter Horne oversaw the second string on Tuesday and Jackson admitted that the coaching side are working overtime.

He said: “All the staff have mucked in to help me and make me welcome. People like Peter Horne taking the reserves have been a great help.

We’re a bit stretched because we’re short on (coaching) numbers but we will address that. Everybody is pulling together and full credit to them.”

Tuesday’s 6-2 thrashing of Port Vale was the reserves’ first win of the season and Jackson was thrilled with what he saw.

He said: “We had a few of the senior players out there and they showed a great attitude. I wanted them to be positive and it could have been ten.

“I was impressed with the strikers and scoring goals will give them some confidence, without a doubt.

“We don’t want to get carried away, because it was only the reserves, but the signs are good. I’ve been really pleased with the squad in general.”