MANAGER Andy Hessenthaler is considering loan options as Gillingham’s injury problems threaten to become a full-blown crisis.

Centre-back Chris Hope, who has never missed a match in his two-and-a-half years with the club, is in danger of losing that ever-present record at home to Grimsby on Saturday after sustaining a knee injury in last night's 2-1 defeat at Reading.

With Nyron Nosworthy aggravating a groin injury, the pair join Barry Ashby, Mark Saunders, Paul Shaw, Tommy Johnson and Simon Osborn on a growing casualty list.

“I'm worried about Chris because he picked up what looks to be a bad injury,” said the Gills boss. “His ankle went one way and his knee went the other.

“When these sort of things happen you worry about ligaments and that could be the case with him. All we can do is keep our fingers crossed. I would say, at this stage, that Chris is more doubtful than Nyron.”

With Hope’s centre-back partner Ashby already doubtful for Saturday, Gillingham could be without both first choice centre-backs and face the prospect of fielding a make-shift partnership of Leon Johnson and Richard Rose for the weekend.

On top of that, Hessenthaler was forced to come off in the 83rd minute with a calf injury. Hessenthaler added: “We're down to the bare bones and I'll be going into the office on Tuesday to make a few phone calls to see what players are available on loan."