Gareth Ainsworth hopes winger Jonny Smith can still play a part this season – but opted against bringing in a replacement.
Smith, who is on loan from Wigan, had surgery last week on an injury that he picked up in the win at Harrogate.
The 28-year-old had only just started playing again after a first half of the season that had been plagued by injury issues. He will now miss another big chunk of the campaign.
Gills boss Ainsworth said: “Jonny had an operation on a bone injury in his ankle, an absolute freak one at Harrogate. Hopefully, Jonny will maybe play some part towards the end of the season.
“For the foreseeable future, Jonny’s going to be out recovering.
“I’m sure that everyone will wish him well. He had a real stop-start loan, a few injuries, but I think we all saw the quality he had when he was fit.
“Unfortunately, we’re going to be without him for a while now.”
The Gills were considering a replacement but the transfer window closed without another wide player coming in.
Ainsworth said: “We weren’t prepared to take the risk on bringing someone in who wasn’t going to be good enough.
“I’ve got Aaron Rowe. Obviously, Ronan [Hale] now coming in. Seb Palmer-Houlden. We’ve got some exciting players who can go forward with pace down the wings. I’m quite happy with where we are.”
Gills are down to two out-and-out wingers in Garath McCleary and Rowe but Ainsworth switched things around on Tuesday night as Hale and fellow striker Seb Palmer-Houlden flanked big man Josh Andrews.
The transfer window closed with three additions, defender Omar Beckles, midfielder Cameron Antwi and striker Hale – and the manager was pleased with their business.
Ainsworth said: “The transfer window when it closes is one of the nicest days for me. I’ve got what I’ve got then and I know I can go forward with it.
“There was rumours of wingers. There was rumours of all sorts of players coming in.
“It’s crazy how everyone leaves it to that last day but we did Cameron, obviously, and Ronan earlier in the window. Omar wasn’t just out of the blue. There’s been plenty of work done on him as well.
“I was really happy with my business.”
