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Gillingham boss Steve Lovell waiting on several players ahead of Shrewsbury trip

Gillingham are heading into the weekend with a catalogue of injury concerns.

Boss Steve Lovell had the luxury of a near fully-fit side last weekend but has been hit by a series of issues since then.

Regan Charles-Cook and Callum Reilly both limped off against Peterborough and Lovell is now also having to wait on news of injuries to left-back Connor Ogilvie and Dean Parrett.

Billy Bingham was expected to return this weekend but remains in discomfort because of an ankle injury. He was due to see a specialist on Thursday (today) to determine whether he will be fit for contention as the Gills head for Shrewsbury.

Dean Parrett in action last weekend Picture: Ady Kerry
Dean Parrett in action last weekend Picture: Ady Kerry

None of it is helping the manager as he looks to end a run of seven league games without a win.

Lovell, who made four changes last Saturday to his starting line-up, said: “The team could change dramatically again because of the injuries, which doesn’t help anyone.

“We don’t want anyone to miss out through injury but we seem to be getting them every week. We get back to where we want to, nearly, regarding our squad and then someone else gets another injury. It is just the way it is going at the moment but it happens.

“We have to carry on and it gives other people a chance to play.”

Charles-Cook had just returned from a hamstring injury and was one of the standout performers last weekend before being forced off with an ankle injury. Reilly wasn’t far behind with the same problem.

Lovell said: “Regan gets through with his hamstring intact but he gets an ankle injury. The hamstring was fine, that is a positive, it was just an unfortunate accident that caused his ankle to turn over. Everyone could see how much he means to us to have him fit.

“Callum already had (an ankle injury) that he was getting over it but went over on it on Saturday. He scored a good goal and played well, like he has done in the last few weeks.”

Ogilvie lasted the distance against Peterborough but also missed training at the start of the week with an ankle issue, while Parrett was nursing a groin strain.

Lovell said: “We have a couple down but hopefully it is not going to be that bad Saturday and they will be back ready for selection.

“Injuries hurt, of course they do, we haven’t got the biggest squad in the world, but it gives boys an opportunity for others to go and show me why they say they should be in the team.”

Elliott List missed last weekend with a rib injury but trained in the early part of the week.

Lovell said: “He came to me and said he got injured on the Tuesday at Faversham and didn’t feel he could play. You can’t have him going out there not being 100% fit or making things worse, so we left him out. Hopefully he will be in contention.”

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