Gillingham striker Josh Andrews is having to deal with another injury in what’s been a tough start to life at the club.
The 22-year-old has been limited to just three league starts since his move from Birmingham City at the end of January.
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Andrews was suffering with a hip injury when he first arrived at Priestfield, which meant his debut was delayed by 10 weeks, playing just three games at the end of last season.
He picked up a further injury in pre-season, which has meant he’s yet to make a start in the league this term.
Manager Mark Bonner confirmed that the big front-man “is not available at the moment,” after suffering a fresh injury last Friday.
“He felt something in his quad,” said the Gills boss.
“He was going to be with us (last) Saturday, so we’re just letting that settle down a little bit.
“It’s a shame because he got himself up to being ready to be in the squad last weekend and just dipped out at the last minute.
“We’re all learning a little bit with him, what he can tolerate, what’s enough, what’s too much.
“He’s learning his body and he’s had, a very, very frustrating time since he’s been here really. There’s been one thing after the other with him.
“We’ve just got to try and find the sweet spot where he understands his body, we understand him and we can get him available because he’s another one that will really help us when we get there.”
Bonner isn’t expecting too many changes to his squad for the trip to Notts County this weekend.
Ethan Coleman misses out through suspension – banned for a game after last weekend’s red card – but Jonny Williams has trained all week and is available again following his concussion injury.
Bradley Dack has been limited to half a game in the EFL Trophy since his summer return and isn’t expected to be available this Saturday.
Bonner said: “He’s closer than he was last week, but I had a really good conversation with him in the week around my game plan for him really, in terms of when we see us using him, how much we see us using him, how we need to get him ready to be available.
“He knows himself better than anybody, so we’ll keep that conversation between us, but we’ve got a bit of a game plan. Whether it plays out that way or not, I’m not sure, but this weekend’s probably a bit soon.”
There are others working there way back to fitness.
Bonner, speaking after training on Thursday, said: “I’ve seen Aaron Rowe on the grass, Tim Dieng, Jake Turner, Conor Masterson at different times.
“Euan (Williams) and Nev (Elliott Nevitt), those sorts of boys, are back into the rhythm of training plenty. It feels like the squad’s getting there.
“Some of those are still a little bit of time away from playing but I think we’ve got pretty much the same group to pick from other than obviously Ethan because of the suspension.
“All being well, he’ll be back with us next week and hopefully we can keep building the numbers that are available to pick from because when we get everybody out there, we know we’ve got a really strong team to pick from and right now we’ve got a quite confident group going into the game.
“They’ve had a really good week, they’ve been brilliant in training. It only counts if it follows you on the pitch on matchday course. With what we’re trying to build and how we’re trying to work, I’ve been really pleased with them this week.”
