Gillingham captain Armani Little ended up in hospital after suffering a nasty injury against Accrington Stanley.
The Gills skipper was back in the team following a two-game suspension, and he provided the cross for the opening goal in a 2-0 win, but early in the second half, he was forced off.
Little was seen walking off the pitch with a bandaged-up hand and manager Gareth Ainsworth later explained the severity of the injury – and how it might mean he joins the list of those who could be out for the remainder of the season.
Ainsworth said: “Armani Little looks like he’s got a nasty finger injury that might need surgery – so that could be him done [for the season] now as well.”
The injury happened early in the second half.
“He took a whack on his finger,” said the Gills boss.
“He’s so committed. He wants so much for this club. He wants to win so much and I think a boot has sliced his finger open. It’s pretty nasty.
“We’ve got great doctors here. They helped me through my [heart] procedure, never mind my players on the pitch.”
Little missed the end of the game celebrations as he went straight to the hospital to be assessed.
The Gills have been hit hard with injuries this season and some have already played their last games of this campaign – and possibly last for the club.
Shad Ogie has been seen wearing a protective cage on his leg after suffering a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season. He picked that up while making a challenge against Bristol Rovers.
Ethan Coleman is struggling with an Achilles injury, Euan Williams’ injury-hit season goes on and Cameron Antwi is another who could miss the rest of the campaign.
“It’s been tough,” said Ainsworth. “It’s been a tough year with Shadrach, Euan, Ethan and Cameron. they’re all just that longer term than we’d like and Armani looks like he might join that list.
“That could be quite tough now for him for the end of the season, but knowing Marns, he’ll come back and say he’s ready to play next week with his finger all strapped up or in a cast, but we’ll see how that goes.”
Ainsworth had been impressed with Little’s return performance in the 55 minutes he played on Monday.
The manager said: “He was noticed, his battling, the way he gets stuck in and then the quality on the ball he’s got.
“He’s a great player for Gillingham and looking forward to building around him as well as everyone else.
“It was tough for him not seeing the win at the end there and probably on his way to the hospital but the doctors know what they’re doing here and we’ve had some bad luck on the injuries, so hopefully next year we’ll turn that around.”
The manager expects Omar Beckles and Robbie McKenzie to be back soon, however, while young midfielder Harry Waldock is chasing a quick return after missing out on Monday with a knock to his ankle – picked up after a collision with his own team-mate Garath McCleary, while attempting to defend a corner at Walsall on Friday.
