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Mark Marshall under consideration as Gillingham boss Steve Evans ponders best way to replace the injured Mark Byrne for Fleetwood trip

06:00, 12 December 2019

updated: 06:21, 12 December 2019

Gillingham aren’t short of options to fill the void left by injured midfielder Mark Byrne.

Winger Mark Marshall came off the bench at the weekend against Sunderland but several other players will be vying to make the starting XI at Fleetwood.

Mark Marshall came off the bench to feature in last week's win over Sunderland Picture: Ady Kerry
Mark Marshall came off the bench to feature in last week's win over Sunderland Picture: Ady Kerry

Stuart O’Keefe was expected to be back available after recovering from a hamstring injury while Matty Willock will be hoping his name is in the mix after putting in extra fitness sessions after recovering from a fractured knee.

Ben Pringle is in contention again after completing a two-match ban for his dismissal at AFC Wimbledon. Regan Charles-Cook is another midfielder hoping to get back involved.

“We are okay in that area but we don’t want any more,” said Gills boss Steve Evans, who will be putting those midfield options to debate with assistant Paul Raynor and coach Simon Royce.

Marshall made a positive impact last weekend but also lost possession, allowing Sunderland to break. They got the ball in the net from the move but it was disallowed for a foul on Gills keeper Jack Bonham.

Evans said: “He deserved to come back in and played really well. He made one error but thankfully for Marshy there was a foul.

“He gives us fantastic energy, fantastic work rate and he is an example to others. Regan Charles-Cook has been unlucky (not to play) but if you deserve to keep the shirt you do.

“We are okay at the moment and we have the best part of three weeks until the transfer window opens.”

Evans will be looking for a goalscorer when the window opens in January but doesn’t yet know what funds – if any – he’ll have at his disposal.

He said: “We will be doing some business in January, what levels of business I don’t know because I haven’t had the go-ahead from the chairman.

“We know there won’t be large resources and it’s no point me saying to the fans there will be, but these boys aren’t doing too bad are they?

“If the window opens and we aren’t doing any business, although I think we will be, then I am good with the boys we have.”

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