Baily Cargill hopes Tuesday night was the beginning of something good.

The Checkatrade Trophy tie at West Brom was his first appearance in nine months and Gillingham’s first clean sheet in 29 games. Both have been a long time coming.

The 21-year-old Bournemouth loanee said: “It’s been a tough time for me and I really enjoyed the night.

“I was a bit rusty and I wouldn’t say it was my best performance, but I am happy to come out of it injury-free. I feel good so I am looking forward to it now.

“The lads have a lot of good banter here. I think I’m going to settle in well and really enjoy my time.”

Cargill signed on loan at the end of August and was expecting to link up with the Gills within weeks of that deal being struck, only to be sidelined with a hernia.

He only started training with the Gills on Monday after a couple of weeks getting up to full speed with Bournemouth, making his debut just a day later.

His return to action, playing in a back three alongside Deji Oshilaja and Josh Pask, resulted in a first clean sheet of the season for the Gills.

He said: “Bournemouth wanted to make sure I was coming here ready and fit to go. They didn’t want me going back there injured.

“I had a hernia operation in Germany, which was annoying, but I am over that now and I am feeling fit. I’m ready and I am really looking forward to the rest of the season and spending some time here.”

Read the full interview in Friday's Medway Messenger