More of Gillingham’s best young players could get a chance in the team before the end of this season.
Young midfielder Harry Waldock has impressed since coming into the side last month, and manager Gareth Ainsworth isn’t afraid to give others a chance in the team.
The Gills are heading for a mid-table finish this season, and Ainsworth could take the opportunity to see if any other young players can make an impact.
“There’d be no reason why we couldn’t,” he said, when asked if he could give the youth a chance.
“I don’t ever want to disrespect and belittle the league. You’ve got to field as strong a team as you can, but if I believe that one of my youngsters is better in the moment than some of my professionals, then I’ll stick them in, without a doubt.
“I think the Gills fans would love it. They’d love to see that progression from our youth team.
“It’s a really proud moment to have them. Harry’s been brilliant, from where he started the season to where he is now.
“We’ve got some cracking boys in the academy. We really have. There’s no reason they can’t step up.
“I remember the Fulham [EFL Trophy] game here with Stan [Sargent] and Louis [Dayal], people like Cruz [Beszant] playing and scoring goals. We have definitely got some talent coming through, but having to rely on them, that’s another thing, at this stage of the season.
“Maybe I will, but I won’t give too much away. I know that the Gills fans would be really passionate to see some of their own playing out there.”
Gillingham’s academy side beat Bromley’s youngsters 6-1 earlier this week – Dayal scoring a first-half hat-trick in the thrashing. Bertie Oliver, Sullivan Booth and an own-goal added to the scoreline.
Recently-signed 18-year-old midfielder Donte Augustus – who moved to the Gills from Carshalton Athletic – scored the winner against Fulham last week.
Like the senior side, injuries have stopped some of the under-18 and young pros from pushing for a place in the first-team squad but Michael Luxton was on the bench last week at Crawley, as an unused substitute.
Ainsworth’s willingness to use youth players will be determined to senior players’ form, and whether he can get some of his injured players back involved.
Experienced centre-half Omar Beckles missed last weekend’s game with injury but fellow defender Conor Masterson is getting closer to a return.
Ainsworth, as usual, was tight-lipped about a time-scale for either player but said: “There’s hope of Omar coming back. It’s tough to lose your best players at the timings we have, but it’s the game. Sometimes you have the luck, sometimes you don’t.
“We’re lucky we got so many points at the start of the season to have a buffer, to be able to try a few things.
“Conor’s closer. He’s on the grass. The indications are that Conor’s not far away at all.”
Ainsworth has been missing a number of midfield players because of injury, including Robbie McKenzie and Ethan Coleman.
January signing Cameron Antwi hasn’t played since picking up an injury at Barrow, just over a month ago. Ainsworth hinted that his season was probably over.
“Cameron may have to wait until next season,” he said.
“[We’ve had] some bad luck, with Shadrach [Ogie], Ethan, Jonny Smith and Cameron. I could go on and on.
“Cameron took a nasty injury up at Barrow and we’ve seen him walking around in a boot. It’s not been hidden. It’s a nasty one. If he gets back for any football towards the end of the year, it will be a bonus.”
On whether McKenzie could return, Ainsworth said: “I don’t want to give anything away too much. But, again, with Robbie, we’re a much better outfit.
“He’s multi-positional. His stature on the pitch is good and he’s very experienced. Having Robbie back is crucial. Whether that happens or not this weekend, we’ll see.”
