Defender Joe Martin faces another week on the sidelines after fears of a broken ankle proved unfounded.

Martin went for a scan after last week’s draw with Bristol City and missed the game at Walsall.

“It is a bruising injury so not as bad as we first thought but I don’t think he will be ready for Saturday,” Gills coach Steve Lovell confirmed.

“We might be looking at a week Saturday but that is a shame because I thought he was having a good game against Bristol City.”

It means a decision will need to be taken over who fills the left-back berth again. Doug Loft dropped back from midfield to fill the void at Walsall but energetic West Brom loanee Bradley Garmston could be given his chance.

Last Sunday, at Walsall, experience was preferred over youth.

Coach Darren Hare said: “We wanted a bit more experience across the back. I thought Bradley did extremely well when he came on (against Bristol City) and it was always a potential option if it didn’t work for us.

“Doug doesn’t particularly like playing left full-back, he was keen to tell us that, but he said if we wanted him to play there then he would. I thought he did okay."

The Gills will still be without injured pair Amine Linganzi and Aaron Morris (both hamstring). Jake Hessenthaler suffered a blow to the foot at Walsall but is expected to be okay to play.