Frank Nouble is closing in on a return for Gillingham at Oxford United.

A number of players were missing from the weekend trip to Walsall, but Nouble is the closest to returning for Tuesday's match at the Kassam Stadium.

Boss Justin Edinburgh said: “Hopefully he will be all right for Tuesday but I doubt very much for the rest.”

Bradley Garmston, Ryan Jackson and Chris Herd all picked up injuries in the FA Cup defeat at Brackley last Wednesday.

Garmston was making only his second start of the season in that game after recovering from a dislocated kneecap and torn ligament, but he suffered a hamstring injury.

“That was a big blow for him,” said Edinburgh. “He had worked hard and been patient. We had been cautious and careful with his progression back in the team.

“Ryan Jackson was feeling tight and I am not in a position to take chances with players. Chris Herd rolled his ankle. He travelled with us (on Saturday) but the game came too soon.”

Bradley Dack is easing his way back from a hamstring injury and Edinburgh feels his current position on the left-side is keeping him out of trouble.

He said: “We are trying to get Dacky minutes as we go along and putting him in that wider area gives him a little bit more of a picture. He’s not always in the action, and taking knocks and bumps and bruises.”