Josh Andrews made another impact off the bench for the Gills on Tuesday night but the manager is still wary of overburdening the big striker.
Andrews, 23, has made just three league starts for the Gills since joining for an undisclosed fee from Birmingham City 18 months ago.
He’s made three substitute appearances for the Gills so far this season.
In the season-opener at Accrington, he came on with the Gills 1-0 down and within minutes they’d equalised.
He came off the bench at half-time on Saturday against Walsall, with the game goalless, and made a big difference as Ainsworth’s side ended up winning 1-0.
Once more on Tuesday, the Gills needed something different, and his impact at 1-0 down helped them level the score. He couldn’t net from the penalty spot, unfortunately, as Ainsworth’s men lost the shootout, but he’d done enough to earn more rave reviews.
“I want to get Josh better and better,” said the Gills boss.
“I think he’s got a great size. He’s got something that we can work with.
“Josh has been frustrated for a couple of years and I think he’s enjoying playing for me. I’ve told him what I want him to be and he’s definitely buying into that.
“People will be screaming, ‘Start Josh Andrews’. I know that because that’s what fans see.
“They don’t see the weeks that that boy has had to get his fitness back and get stronger and make sure that he’s robust and doesn’t get any injuries, because the moment something like that happens, the fans start saying, ‘Oh, he’s always injured’. You can’t win.”
In a message to fans, Ainsworth added: “Please have the confidence that he’s in safe hands with us.
“We’re going to try our absolute best to keep him fit and functioning and the player that he is, whether he starts or it’s with his impact.
“He’s a really great lad. Humble and massive!
“He wants to learn a lot about forward play and I don’t think he’s really been taught a lot about what he could potentially be and how to play that role.
“I’m working hard with Josh, as well as my staff, and we can hopefully get the best out of him.
“He’s definitely no shrinking violet out there.
“People will look at my record and see that there’s always been a big man when I’ve managed teams and Josh is definitely one of those but there’s also Sam Vokes, who is a very good big man as well, and we’ve got him to come back (from injury).”
