Defensive options could improve for Gillingham ahead of their weekend trip to Walsall.

Both Robbie McKenzie and recent signing Lewis Page are putting themselves in the frame to be selected.

McKenzie has been a regular starter for the Gills this season but injury has ruled him out of the last five fixtures.

He was back training last Friday - although that was too soon for him to be involved against Tranmere Rovers.

Manager Neil Harris said: “Robbie trained after the game (on Saturday) and on Friday for 35 minutes - not enough to risk putting him back in the group on the back of two-and-a-half weeks out.

“Hopefully he gets through the week and he’s fit and available for Saturday.”

Former Charlton and West Ham left-back Page was signed recently as a free agent and he’s been getting up to pace after being blighted by injury in the past few seasons. He’ll be pushing David Tutonda for the left-back shirt.

Harris said: “I hope Lewis is going to be in a lot healthier position with minutes on the training pitch and he is going to be in a position where he will be available for selection as well.”

The Gills boss gave his men an additional day off this week, in addition to their usual Wednesday break. Following long trips to Harrogate and Stockport, quickly followed by a home game against Tranmere, it was much needed.

Harris said: “It is so important, re-energising the group, giving them a bit of time away from here for family time and a freshness to come back in ready to work.

“An extra day off isn’t something I do too often but they deserve it, they need family time, recuperation time at this stage of the season because when we get through this Saturday at Walsall we are Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday again.”

Hoping to get back involved is club captain Stuart O’Keefe and fit-again striker Scott Kashket, whose last appearance was late on in the 3-3 draw at Swindon on January 28. He’s scored three goals in 36 appearances this season.

Harris hasn’t been afraid to rotate his squad of late, with four changes to his starting XI on Saturday despite a decent showing in the week at Stockport.

He said: “I need to keep freshening up the group, making sure everyone is hungry.

“Everyone knows their importance in the group, they feel trust in me and also feel valued and that’s important. Over the course of five games to have made as many changes as I have had and picked up points, it testimony to the group we have got.”

Outside of the matchday squad the Gills have also got players out on loan like Joe Gbode at Isthmian Premier side Hastings and midfielder Josh Chambers at National South Worthing.

Harris said: “We chose to let Joe Gbode go out on loan and not to call back Josh Chambers, who is at Worthing and I think the world of. I still think he has a massive future to play at this football club.

“I chose not to have them in the group because it’s better for them to play men’s football at the moment.”