Manager Gareth Ainsworth has seen his squad options increase this week but has confirmed Sam Vokes won’t make their season opener.
While big summer signing Vokes will miss the start of the League 2 season, winger Aaron Rowe could miss the opening weekend too.
Winger Rowe has missed the whole of pre-season so far, but Ainsworth knew Vokes would take some time to get up to speed, after a nasty arm break at the end of last season.
The good news for the Gills is that Sam Gale is set to return this week after a few days off and Elliott Nevitt, Nelson Khumbeni and young defender Logan Dobbs all got their first runout of the summer in front of the fans at the weekend.
Ainsworth isn[‘t short of options, naming a 25-man squad for the weekend friendly with Luton.
Speaking of those coming back into the fold, Ainsworth said: “Seeing both Elliott Nevitt and Nelson Khumbeni making the pitch was brilliant to see.
“We obviously want to get Sam Vokes and Aaron Rowe back and get them out playing. Euan Williams is a bit further away with a shoulder injury.
“I think we’re going to be very competitive. It’s going to be tough to pick the squad.
“I think some of the younger boys will understand that they’re going to have to get minutes in other games but I’ve got some depth in the squad as well.
“Sam Gale is going to be back very soon, so that’ll be good. Youngsters Harry Webster and Harry Waldock are backing us up. We’ve got these players now who are just backing up this next level coming through.”
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Gale’s absence from the games against Southampton and Luton Town were as a precaution, said the manager.
“I think he’ll be back this week which will be great for us,” he added.
“But we won’t risk anyone. I’ve got four really good centre-halves and then we’ve got Logan Dobbs to back them up.
“We’ve also got a couple of utility players who can play in that position, so there’s no worries there. We’re not going to risk anyone.
“We’ll make sure that Sam’s 100%, because he was brilliant for me towards the end of last season. A big player for this club.”
On the subject of whether Rowe and Vokes would be fit for the season opener a week Saturday (August 2), Ainsworth said: “Vokes, definitely not. He had a plate put in his arm. I think it was a nasty break. He had some nerve damage.
“We always knew from the start that Sam Vokes would not be available for that first game, because he had that broken arm. They take a while.
“He’s getting to the contact stage towards the end of pre-season and then it’s probably getting back into match fitness again.
“He’s going to have a little build-up then before we can start playing him.
“Aaron Rowe, hopefully, will be in and around it towards the start of the campaign.
“It’s a frustrating one for Aaron. He’s worked hard. Sometimes when you work hard in the close season, you damage yourself as well.
“He’s a top lad, a real good player, and he’s going to feature. But again, we’ll be careful with them both.”
The Gills will play away at Ebbsfleet United tomorrow (Tuesday night).
The likes of Nevitt, Khumbeni and fit-again Jonny Williams will look to increase their game-time after missing the opening games of the pre-season schedule.
“I’m pleased with where we are,” added the Gills boss.
