Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth will miss “a few weeks” to have a planned medical procedure.

The Gills have announced that the 52-year-old will undergo planned cardiac surgery, which was flagged up during routine tests carried out as part of the LMA’s health checks.

Assistant manager Richard Dobson, who has worked alongside Ainsworth throughout his managerial career at Wycombe, QPR and Shrewsbury previously, will take charge of first-team affairs.

Ainsworth said: “I went for the LMA (League Managers Association) health check in May and they found something with my heart. I’ve got to have heart surgery this week. It sounds dramatic, but it’s a routine thing they do.

“I’m going to be missing for probably three or four games, all I can say is ‘Get behind Dobbo and the team’. They’re going to be stepping up and taking the football.

“It’s been brilliant, I am loving it here, but this has all been planned. Surgery is needed, and you can’t mess about with the heart.

“The LMA health check has flagged this up, and it’s fantastic. People probably should go and have health checks because I had no symptoms.

“We are looking at three or four games and then I’ll be back.

“I told the boys after the game [on Saturday] as well, they all know. I wanted to do it (an announcement), with respect to my family, I wanted it out there in the right context because people will come up with all sorts of rumours.

“Heart surgery coming up this week, off for a few weeks, then I’ll be back and I can’t wait – up the Gills!”

Gillingham chairman Brad Galinson said: “We’ve known for many weeks about Gareth’s upcoming surgery.

“In typical Gareth style, he was deliberating about the best time to have it, but Shannon and I were concerned about only one thing - Gareth getting the surgery as early as possible. His health alone is the priority here, so it was not a conversation as far as we were concerned.

“When we appointed the best manager in League 2 back in March, we also felt we were getting the best assistant manager in the league, so we have no doubt the team is in safe hands in Gareth’s absence.

“We ask now that the fans, as they always do, get right behind the boys and Dobbo.”

The Gills were inundated with messages of support after the announcement, and co-owner Shannon Galinson said: “The outpouring of support and kind words for Gareth from the Gills faithful is absolutely incredible.

“Let's all keep up the hard work-- whatever our contributions are-- until we have him back on the touchline.”

Ainsworth has transformed Gillingham’s fortunes since taking charge in March, leading them to a new club-record unbeaten run of 21 games which was only ended by Saturday’s home defeat to Harrogate.

Gillingham’s next match is a trip to MK Dons on Saturday lunchtime in League 2.