Gillingham have recalled young striker Joe Gbode from a loan spell after being hit by injuries.
Gbode was playing for National South side Aveley but was recalled this week after the Gills were reduced to the bare bones.
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Striker Oli Hawkins has looked set to miss Tuesday night’s game against Stockport County through illness and head coach Stephen Clemence was counting on Gbode to ensure they had a full squad for the match.
Gbode wasn’t needed in the end as Hawkins made himself available.
The Gills also included captain Shaun Williams in their 18-man squad – he hasn’t played a league game under Clemence – while Jayden Clarke made his first start since mid-December.
Clemence said: “We brought Joe Gbode back from his loan move because we really thought Oli wasn’t going to be right.
“We are down to having all of our senior professionals involved and if we lose anyone else we will be looking to use B Team players.
“We’ve had a number of injuries recently. I am not here to make excuses, I think when an injury happens it is an opportunity for somebody else, but Hawks has been ill since after the game at the weekend and on Monday I didn’t think he would even be on the bench.
“Oli declared that he wanted to have a go, he didn’t think he was ready to start the game because he hadn’t eaten much and he had the shivers and the shakes, but fair play to him for coming in and giving us 35 minutes.
“We have had that and we also lost Jorge Hurtado (knee) and George Lapslie has a slight hamstring and we have lost Dom Jefferies (thigh) and these are all players that if they are not starters then they are very close to starting a game and in my thoughts every weekend.”
New signing Josh Andrews was expected to be pushing for selection on Saturday but he pulled up with an injury during a B Team match on Tuesday afternoon.
Goalkeeper Jake Turner also picked up a knock on Tuesday after a collision but was able to stay on the pitch.
Clemence said: “I thought he took some crosses when he was under pressure and obviously he had a big whack in the hip when he came and took one.
“There was a doubt that he might have to come off but he kept a clean sheet and he will be pleased with that.
“He’s had a number of clean sheets this season and so fair play to him, like everyone in the team there are areas in Jake’s game that he needs to improve on, but that’s everybody, fair play to him for keeping a clean sheet against the league leaders.”
