Bradley Dack made an impact from the bench for Gillingham on Boxing Day as the manager admitted they have to play it safe with their leading scorer.
Dack’s got six goals in the first half of the season, and is on course to meet his own double-figure target, but his boss Gareth Ainsworth can’t risk over-playing him.
The attacking midfielder has only missed two league games this season, as he puts his previous injury issues behind him, having suffered serious knee injuries in the past.
Ainsworth said: “Me and Bradley had a chat pre-Christmas, and we have to look after him with the run of games we’ve got. The subs made a good impact, I thought.
“Bradley’s above the level. We’ve talked about this.
“I was lucky enough to play at a decent level, and I see some of the things that other people don’t see. They don’t see what Bradley sees on the pitch, and that’s just the level. That’s why he’s played at the level he’s played at.
“We know we can’t flog him all the time because of what he’s been through.”
The Gills were a goal behind against Cambridge United on Boxing Day before Dack came onto the field.
Shortly after his introduction, the Gills had a penalty, which was saved, but Dack was quick to get play restarted and he took the subsequent corner, sending the ball towards Max Clark to head in an equaliser.
Only a top save from the visiting keeper denied Dack from putting them ahead soon after following a well-hit shot.
“He adds so much for us in the dressing room and on the pitch,” said his manager.
“If it was the Bradley Dack of old, we wouldn’t have him. He’d be playing in the Championship again.
“We’re very lucky that Bradley’s found the fitness and the form that he’s in and I think that, again, the subs coming on, him and Seb (Palmer-Houlden), impacted the game in the right way. We haven’t had that for a few weeks.
“That’s been great for me and I’ve got some real good decisions now to make for Colchester United on Monday.”
Gillingham play Colchester at home on Monday night, kick-off 7.45pm.
