Gillingham manager Neil Harris isn’t prepared to risk an injury to new signing Callum Harriott by playing him too soon.

The winger joined the Gills on a short-term contract three weeks ago but, after going 18 months without competitive football, Harris has had to be patient about when to throw the player into the mix.

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Harriott was an unused substitute against Dagenham in the FA Cup last week but was always unlikely to play. A weekend without football, after the game on Sunday against Bradford was postponed, has given the 28-year-old a little longer to prove he’s ready.

“Callum is getting there,” said the manager. “There will be an element of risk having not played football in 18 months but, sometimes, you have to take that gamble. I have also got to protect the lad as well.

"He is a player I have always rated and if I rush him for selfish purposes, because I want my team to have more chance of success with him around it, (I need to make sure) that he then doesn’t break down, I have to balance that and to help Callum be in a good place as well over the coming weeks.”

Commenting on his place on the bench against Dagenham, Harris said: “He was there to have him in the changing room more than anything.

“We named nine subs, Dagenham had players on the bench who wouldn’t come on and we possibly had one because we felt he had a couple of weeks training. He is nowhere near match fitness.

"We have to be really careful with him but we had nobody else to include, so why not put him on the bench?”

Midfielder Olly Lee was another included in the squad in the FA Cup match but unused. He’s rarely featured since the opening weeks of the season.

Harris said: “He has trained for a couple of weeks and shown some reliability on the training pitch that he is physically better placed.”

Left-back David Tutonda was a surprise starter against Dagenham, ending a three-month injury lay-off.

"I was surprised he made the 90 minutes and really pleased for him," said the manager.

"He has had a tough couple of months but I have said many times, when people are given an opportunity you have to take the shirt, it can’t always be about me telling them or showing them.

"David Tutonda came in and played very well."