SKIPPER Paul Smith and Barry Ashby are expected to return from injury to boost Gillingham at Reading on Monday.

Key players Smith, Ashby, Paul Shaw and Mark Saunders were badly missed as a depleted Gillingham were beaten 2-1 by Leeds in Tuesday’s FA Cup, fourth round replay at Elland Road.

All four sustained injuries at Preston on Saturday leaving player-manager Andy Hessenthaler grateful for a free weekend after the Reading game was switched to Monday following Sky Television’s decision to screen the match live.

“I would think two of the four will be fit in time to play at Reading on Monday,” said Hessenthaler. “Paul had a cyst on the back of a knee which burst while Barry suffered severe brusing on a foot. He had an X-ray which, thankfully, did not reveal a break.

“Mark Saunders will be a bit longer with a hamstring strain and we'll know more about Paul Shaw after a scan.” He tweaked a cartilage at Preston.

The match was the first Smith had missed since a Worthington Cup tie at Torquay on September 5, 2000.

Desperate to play at Leeds, he had a fitness test on the morning of the match but was unable to satisfy Hessenthaler of his full fitness.

Saunders, who is a quick healer, believes he could be available for Grimsby’s visit on February 15. Nicky Southall is expected to continue in midfield at Reading.