Lenni Cirino is to remain with Gillingham for the rest of the season, says the manager.
The 22-year-old joined the Gills in the summer, after a season in non-league football at Clitheroe, agreeing a ‘short-term deal’ with the club.
Cirino has had to be patient for his chances in the team, and picked up an injury just when he looked like he’d broken in for a regular start.
The former Blackburn Rovers player has been limited to nine games this season, with just two starts in six League 2 appearances.
He’s said to be fit and ready to make an impact again, and manager Gareth Ainsworth is looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“Lenni’s going to be around,” commented the Gills boss on the player’s status.
“He’s had a bit of a stop-start time in what is his first season really in first-team football.
“He had a couple of pro years at Blackburn as an under-23s player.
“I think he’s really made an impact in games. Definitely in the games he started, and just unfortunately, he got the injury at the wrong time.
“I think he was coming back into the team at one stage.
“I’m really pleased with Lenni, and he’s going to be here and, hopefully, playing a big part in the rest of the season.”
Cirino adds to Ainsworth’s options as a two-week break has given several players time to recover from knocks.
The Gills play Newport this Saturday, and aside from Marcus Wyllie (ankle) and Nelson Khumbeni (shoulder), he expects to have everyone else available, including winger Garath McCleary, who was injured before Christmas.
