Gillingham striker Dominic Samuel could miss the rest of the season through injury.

The former Blackburn frontman is the latest Gills player to suffer a long-term injury this season, suffering a hamstring tear against Accrington Stanley in the middle of last month.

Samuel is recovering from a bout of Covid and that’s delayed an operation which comes with a minimum 12-week recovery period. For Gills boss Steve Evans, he believes it’s more or less season over for the 26-year-old.

“He is as good as gone for the season,” Evans said.

“It is grade four, bordering on worse than that, so it’s looking like the end of the season.”

Evans will hope to add at least one more striker during the transfer window.

Samuel could have his operation mid-January which means he would be back in training mid-April if all goes to plan. He’ll then have to spend several weeks getting back up to speed.

Evans, who has faced injury problems in his camp all season, said: “When he is ready to 100% train, if all goes well, the difference is then getting ready to play with a couple of behind closed doors matches and training, the season will then be done.”

Gillingham have been without midfielders Jacob Mellis and Stuart O’Keefe for much of the season. O’Keefe (broken leg) could return in February while Mellis (knee) recently returned after an operation but is back receiving treatment.

Samuel scored six goals in 19 games for the Gills following his return to the club in the summer.

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