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Gillingham boss Peter Taylor could bring in a loan defender to replace injured Matt Fish ahead of MK Dons opener

00:00, 06 August 2014

updated: 13:20, 06 August 2014

Former Fulham right-back Alex Brister is on trial with Gillingham Picture: Richard Eaton
Former Fulham right-back Alex Brister is on trial with Gillingham Picture: Richard Eaton

Peter Taylor is weighing up his options before deciding whether to bring in a loanee right-back.

The Gills are preparing for their opening League 1 match of the season without the services of first-choice right-back Matt Fish.

Fish suffered a knee injury in a collision with the goal during a pre-season game against Ipswich.

Taylor played ex-Sunderland man Liam Marrs last week at Dover but released him soon after. He is now assessing former Fulham defender Alex Brister.

The trialist could be offered a short-term deal or Gills boss Taylor could look elsewhere.
Alternatively he has options closer to home.

He said: “We don’t think he (Fish) will be fit for this week and it is an area where we are looking at different things.

“We had Alex Brister in for a couple of days and we are looking at other things as well. We might have to think about a loan.”

Matt Fish is set to miss Gillingham's opener against MK Dons Picture: Barry Goodwin
Matt Fish is set to miss Gillingham's opener against MK Dons Picture: Barry Goodwin

A minor, but painful, ailment meant Brister wasn’t able to perform at his best against Fleet.

“It was difficult for him on Saturday to have played, having just got to know the boys, but what people don’t realise is that he has some shocking blisters,” revealed the Gills boss.

“That’s really been limiting him but they have got slightly better and he trained okay on Tuesday.”

Brister could be signed on a short-term deal, initially as cover.

“I don’t think anyone at the moment will get a long-term situation with us,” said Taylor.

“There is a chance that we could offer someone a short-term deal if we think they can do a job. If they don’t we will get on with what we have here.

“I have got people like Callum Davies and Josh Pritchard, who has done exceptionally well, and I know Aaron Morris can play there.”

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