Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth is thrilled to have a ‘warrior’ defender back in his squad.
Conor Masterson hasn’t played since the second game of the season, picking up an injury against Walsall, but was back in the squad for the Boxing Day clash against Cambridge United.
Ainsworth spoke of needing more leaders around the team, and Masterson brings that to the party. The 27-year-old was a starter for the Gills when the season kicked off.
He’ll now have to earn his place back in the Gills XI with Ainsworth opting for Sam Gale and Andy Smith as his preferred centre-half pairing against Cambridge.
Fellow central defenders Shad Ogie and Travis Akomeah – who had started the previous three games – didn’t make the squad.
Commenting on Masterson’s return, Ainsworth said: “He got a nasty injury against Walsall, and he’s been on a big road back.
“He wanted to be involved two games ago, and he came and saw me, and I just said, ‘Look, Conor, we have to take our time with you.
“But that’s the kind of boy he is. He just wants to contribute to this team, and he cares so much about this club.”
Masterson signed a new one-year contract with the Gills in the summer, having made over 100 appearances for the club.
He’d previously been a junior at Liverpool, where he’d been captain in the youth teams at Anfield, before joining QPR. He joined the Gills, initially on loan, before making the move to Priestfield permanent.
It could be a big season for the defender.
Ainsworth said: “Gillingham really gave him his chance and he came here and he’s a warrior at times, a real leader.”
