Playing central defender Max Ehmer upfront on Tuesday night was the only choice admitted manager Steve Evans.

With Vadaine Oliver unable to play the second half against Cheltenham after twisting his ankle, Evans was left without another out and out striker. John Akinde was already missing with an injury and youngster Gerald Sithole had Covid.

Losing Oliver was Evans’ worst fear and Ehmer was the man chosen to fill the void.

Evans said: “I knew as soon as Vadaine scored the goal and went to the side, I saw him point to Gary (the physio). He asked if he could use the time to run it off, sometimes little twists and knocks you can run off but he didn’t and I know my options before I got to the dressing room. I knew I had to put Max up there.

“The only other option was to put wingers up there, wide players, Max had played as a central striker before and done very well, we have seen it, we put him up there.

“He has been very good for us but it is not ideal when you put him up there.”

Evans added: “The boys in the dressing room know what we are playing with, they are not silly, especially the experienced ones, it’s like Tommy Cooper back in the day, we are trying to magic things but you can’t keep magicking it.”

Evans is likely to offer an update on his players’ injury situation on Thursday, when he looks ahead to their weekend trip to Shrewsbury.

Loan man Dan Phillips is set to return to action for the match - both he and fellow midfielder Kyle Dempsey weren’t used on Tuesday as both were carrying slight strains - but left-back David Tutonda picked up an injury in the midweek cup defeat and may struggle.

“The way things are going we will end up with seven players,” said the frustrated boss.

Oliver’s ankle injury came after he headed in his first goal from open play this season, nodding in from an Olly Lee cross.

“It was a great cross from Olly,” said Evans.

“The downside to Vadaine scoring is that on landing he has twisted his ankle, he tried to run it off, he tried but couldn’t so we had no option at half-time. You are looking around for strikers but Vadaine is the only one we have in the building.”

More on the Gills;

• Charlton game is postponed

• Evans' dismay at lack of options

• Akinde injury "baffles" medics