Gillingham manager Mark Bonner has already ruled out one player from last weekend’s squad for this Saturday’s visit of Tranmere.
The Gills will be without playmaker Jonny Williams after he picked up a head injury at Doncaster last weekend. He needed a hospital checkup before leaving South Yorkshire and concussion protocols mean he’s unavailable for the match at Priestfield.
Williams had initially been passed fit to continue the match at Doncaster following the blow but was taken to hospital for a precaution after feeling unwell post-match.
“He’s unavailable, he’s concussed,” confirmed Gills boss Bonner.
“He was at the hospital until very early hours and Phill (Catterick, head of press and communications) drove him back and got home at 3am, so fair play to Phill and Minty (Paul Timson) the physio.”
Bradley Dack and Robbie McKenzie both missed the game at Doncaster. Dack was a late withdrawal from the squad with a hamstring issue.
Both have been training this week but remain doubtful with Bonner saying: “It’s probably too soon for those guys.”
Conor Masterson hasn’t been back on the grass yet so will remain absent. He could step up his recovery progress next week by returning to outside training.
Euan Williams returned to the squad today (Thursday) after being away with the Northern Ireland under-21 squad.
His only game so far for the Gills was in the League Cup first-round match at Swansea where he received a red card and a subsequent three-game ban.
He didn’t get any minutes against England under-21s or the Ukraine youngsters as he was an unused substitute in both matches.
Bonner said: “It’s actually quite a while since he played. The Swansea game seems like donkeys ago.
“He obviously didn’t train for a couple of weeks after that with his ankle and then he’s been suspended and missed three games while he’s been away.
“He’s back fit, he’s back available and he’s back to select from, which is good for us to have that option, particularly at the moment we’re a little bit lighter in those positions.”
Max Ehmer is back from a one-game suspension and the captain is expected to return to central defence.
Striker Elliott Nevitt, meanwhile, is working hard to win a first start. He’s made two substitute appearances since seeing off a hip injury.
Tranmere picked Nevitt up from the non-league scene in Liverpool and handed him his first professional deal in July 2021.
The striker will certainly be keen to feature on Saturday but none more so than usual, said the manager.
“He’s just desperate to play full stop,” said the manager.
“I don’t think who he’s playing against matters too much to him.
“He’s just desperate to get going and get his rhythm back and find his scoring form and all those things.
“He’s had a good week’s training.
“It’s been good for him. It’s been good for Josh Andrews. Some of those boys that have maybe missed a little bit to have a full training week.
“It probably really helps them at the moment. They’ll get the same again next week, which is good.
“Some are just in a bit of a delayed pre-season phase, really. Hopefully that really helps them. But he’s looking forward to the game, I know that.”
