Striker John Akinde can play a big part for Gillingham this season says boss Steve Evans.

The 32-year-old was made available for transfer during the summer window but no move materialised and Evans is now hoping they can move on and see the best of the striker in a Gills shirt.

“We need him fully fit and we need him ready,” said Evans, who added to his forward options with the loan signing of Charlie Kelman from QPR.

“John Akinde is in the door now. We need to do our best to get him fit so he can do his best and then we will see the best of John Akinde.

“We had a management meeting last week and we said we do not want to play against John Akinde, you wouldn’t wish to, our centre backs will tell you that.

“You only have to look at Peterborough away last season when John Akinde was unplayable, against probably for me the second best team in the league last season. We went to London Road and John Akinde gave them a real tough night and there were many other performances like that, I remember going to Lincoln and the big man was magnificent when we won 3-0.”

Akinde has been trying to shake off an ankle injury and there are hopes he is now on the road to making a return to action. His only appearance this season was 55 minutes against Plymouth Argyle.

Evans added: "I know the medical team are working with him and he cares, he has been really down because of his injury, we need him in."

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