Gillingham were close to playing their goalkeeper outfield at Cheltenham their manager Steve Evans admitted.

A spare kit was ready for goalkeeper Aaron Chapman after the club’s injury crisis left them with only four substitutes for Tuesday night’s FA Cup tie at Cheltenham. They could have named nine on the bench.

The Gills had two players go off injured while both Jack Tucker and Ryan Jackson were also nursing knocks but managed to see the game out.

Evans had already introduced his three teenage subs - they were allowed to use up to five on Tuesday - and the only one left on the bench for Evans was Chelsea loan keeper Jamie Cumming. Plans were already in place should they have needed another body.

“A couple of lads were playing on one leg at the end,” admitted the Gills boss.

“Jack Tucker, Ryan Jackson, probably on a normal day you would be taking them off and hoping they will be okay for the weekend. Jack got a knock, Ryan got a knock on his calf.

“We asked permission from the referee before the game that if we needed a fourth sub could we put Aaron Chapman out on pitch and Jamie Cumming in goal because in training you could see who would be the one who could play outfield if ever it was needed.

“That is how bad it has got. The referee thought I was joking before the game. He said the rules are he can come on and so we had a spare kit on the bench, for a goalkeeper.”

The Gillingham injury list includes captain Kyle Dempsey and leading scorer Vadaine Oliver. Danny Lloyd and Ben Reeves went off injured at Cheltenham while Robbie McKenzie, David Tutonda, Rhys Bennett, Alex MacDonald, Mustapha Carayol and Olly Lee have all been out.

Jack Tucker and Ryan Jackson will also be assessed following their knocks.

More on the Gills;

• Evans seeks clarity over Stevenage job claims

• The better team won admits frustrated boss