Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler fears striker Gavin Tomlin may not return this season.

The front-man suffered a blow to his ankle early on in the game at Oxford on Saturday - just minutes into his return from a hamstring injury.

Hessenthaler has been plagued by injury problems all season and could now see the 29-year-old - on loan from Dagenham - sidelined again.

"Gavin was on crutches on Monday so couldn't come in," said Hessenthaler.

"I would be very surprised if he plays this weekend and there has to be a question mark over whether he can play this season.

"It's a blow and that's been the story of our season. Sometimes we look at it and wonder if we are doing things wrong ourselves.

"The physios, James Barker and Steve Allen, have been questioning themselves and they are disappointed with the amount of injuries we've had. I question myself week in, week out, because you analyse things.

"They are wondering if they have done something wrong but if you look at our injuries, it's been injuries you just can't legislate for. With Gavin, it's a tackle and Garry Richards the fella has stamped down on his leg and broken it. Barry was a tackle and so was Spiller. The list goes on.

"It has been amazing and is the worst year I have ever had in football with injuries."