Gillingham could have two of their long-term injured players back available this Saturday.
Both right-back Robbie McKenzie and striker Ashley Nadesan have been in full training this week alongside the rest of the first team squad.
With a lack of goals an issue, the return of Nadesan is a big boost, although having been out for a month means he might have to ease his way back.
He’s got three goals this season, all coming within the space of seven days in mid-August, but nobody in the Gills squad can better his tally.
Right-back McKenzie also has three goals to his name, with his trio coming in early August. He’s also been out for around a month.
Boss Stephen Clemence welcomed the pair back, saying: “We want all of the players available and I want those tough decisions where I unfortunately have to leave players out. The more available the better.
“Ash is a real threat going forward, he has scored a few already this season, he has good pace and energy and he is definitely going to help us going forward, so it’s great to see him back.
“It’s nice to have them back around it. Oli (Hawkins) is a little further behind (with a heel injury) but he is on the grass and he is progressing very well. I am hoping he can get training with the group next week.
“We have had another couple of concerns in the group, a couple who haven’t trained this week, so they have to be assessed on Friday to see if they will be available, but it is great to have some new faces back in the squad, they have been keen to show us what they can do, which is always good.”
Midfielder Ben Reeves, who is out of contract and returning from a long-term knee injury, played for the B Team at West Ham in the week.
Clemence was asked about his involvement with the squad.
He said: “We are helping him to get back on his feet and back up to full fitness, that is still the case at the moment.
“He is a decent lad, he seems a good professional and someone we are willing to help, hopefully he can get back playing soon.
“He got injured playing here and the club does have a duty of care to him, we have good people at the club and I am sure they will want to make sure he is fit and well, and that is only right.
“It is no problem having him here and trying to get him back to full fitness.”
Clemence says there have been no discussions about him being offered a new deal at the club, saying: “He has had an injury that has taken quite a bit of time to recover from and the club are looking after him and making sure he gets back to full fitness.
“You never know in football what could happen but it’s not something we have discussed at the moment.”
