Gillingham could be forced into recalling defender Simon King from his loan spell at Plymouth Argyle.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler has been left short of numbers in defence, due to injuries, and admits it could mean a return to Priestfield for the on loan defender.

King (pictured) has played five games for Plymouth and has been regular starter in side as he looks to put his long term injury problems behind him.

He may now be required at Gillingham after injuries to defenders Matt Fish, Barry Fuller, Joe Martin and captain Andy Frampton.

Danny Jackman, who has been filling in at left-back, also took a knock in the game against Barnet.

“We will have to look at it and he could be (recalled),” said the Gills boss.

Hessenthaler has cancelled the players’ day off on Wednesday in a bid to assess what options he has ahead of the weekend.

“We have to regroup,” he said. “Unfortunately they haven’t got a day off which they thought they might have. We need to see who is injured and who is available. We need to have a chat and get things ready for the weekend.”

Fish limped off on Tuesday night with a hip injury and Jackman cut his knee open. Frampton is also struggling for the weekend with a calf injury.

Hessenthaler is also unlikely to be able to recall any of the current injured group including Fuller, Martin, Jack Payne and Danny Spiller.

Spiller had a scan on his injured ankle on Monday and will now require surgery.

He commented on twitter: “So the two footed tackle I was on the receiving end of has resulted in needing an op...gutted.”

Midfielder Lewis Montrose will also be suspended at the weekend after picking up his fifth booking of the season on Tuesday night.

“The game has come at a cost for the weekend’s league programme which is the most important thing,” said the Gills boss.

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