Gillingham manager Mark Bonner explains absence of Armani Little and Elliott Nevitt from the squad at Bradford City
22:00, 19 October 2024
updated: 22:42, 19 October 2024
Gillingham went into Saturday’s game with even more injury issues - some worse than others.
Three players were left out of the side at Bradford on Saturday following the previous weekend’s game and manager Mark Bonner said that winger Jack Nolan also had an injury but was introduced off the bench.
Striker Elliott Nevitt (calf) and midfielder Armani Little (hamstring) were added to the injury list before the weekend, along with goalkeeper Glenn Morris (hamstring), whose condition was already known.
Bonner’s already without midfielder Robbie McKenzie (knee), while neither Josh Andrews or Bradley Dack have started a league game yet and winger Aaron Rowe (hamstring) has been missing since the end of August.
Bonner has had to deal with an ongoing injury list that doesn’t seem to be easing.
Speaking about their latest issues, he said: “Nevitt was an issue we picked up in the game against Accrington last week. He won't be back in the next week.
“Armani Little may have a chance for next weekend. (He has) a little bit of tightness in his hamstring.
“Jack Nolan's had a bit of tightness in his hamstring. Obviously, Timmy Dieng, Ethan Coleman, Conor Masterson, we're pushing through a little bit to get them flying. Jake as well.
“Robbie McKenzie has a problem in the back of his knee. He's going to be a few weeks. It's a strange injury that you can't really put a time frame on. We're probably talking the other side of the FA Cup (in early November), I think, for him.
“You can be as worried as you want about it, make as big an issue as you want. It is what happens and that means others get a chance.”
Ahead of Saturday’s game Bonner had spoken of issues post-Accrington but knew well in advance they were without Little and Nevitt for the match, even if he didn’t reveal what he knew.
He said: “We knew all week who we were and weren't able to train. I just told a lie because we didn't want anyone to know. We were quite clear what this week would look like.
“We're probably not so sure for Tuesday (at home to Newport) because the turnaround is so quick, but we will be by the time we get there.
“Of course, you'd rather have everybody fit and available to go and play in the games. We want everybody, and we have to try and get people back as soon as possible, of course we do, But at the same time, worrying doesn't help.
“We find solutions, get ready to attack the next game and show a bit of character to go again and get the next result.”
Missing numerous players has become the norm at Gillingham, certainly this season, with Bonner never having a fully fit squad to choose from.
He’s been close, but in recent weeks things have taken a turn for the worse, with seven senior players missing this weekend.
Bonner said: “I just think the job is always to pick the best team you think can win, or get you in a good position in the game.
“You try and make the changes that can help you. You're only ever right if you win. You live fairly comfortably in that dynamic, in that sense.
“It is hard throughout the course of a whole season to have lots of players. Every team is in the same boat. I look everywhere.
“Everyone's got players in, players out, and so on. You just make the most of what you've got. Try and get everybody available as much as possible.
“A couple of weeks ago, we looked at it and thought, ‘all right, we're in a good place here, everyone's going to be back post-Crewe’ but something always comes up, and that's where we are at the moment.”