Simon Royce has taken a step closer to returning from injury.

Royce (pictured) was named on the bench for the 0-0 draw against Colchester on Saturday, but his place the squad was only as an emergency measure.

The Gills had to let loanee youth keeper Simon Locke return to Reading for an under-18 fixture and that left boss Mark Stimson with no choice but to name a semi-fit Royce.

The 38-year-old is still recovering from a car accident which has sidelined him for around two months.

“The only way he would have got on was if Alan Julian was stretchered off,” said Stimson.

Locke is expected back this week to travel with the Gills to Hartlepool on Tuesday.

Stimson said: “Five hours on the coach possible isn’t going to help Simon Royce at his age. It might be better for him to stay here and do a few sessions.”

Transfer-listed keeper Julian has worn the keeper’s jersey in Royce’s absence and Stimson has been impressed with the former Stevenage goalie.

“Julian has risen to it,” said Stimson. “Royce will be back and he’ll want to play. If Alan can keep keeping clean sheets it will be hard to leave him out. That’s the kind of problem I want. I want to have two good keepers.”

Picture: Barry Goodwin