Max Clark captained Gillingham in midweek and was also tried out in a different position.

The regular left-back was given the armband on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy match at Colchester as he was played in a different position.

Gills assistant boss Richard Dobson had no hesitation playing him in a defensive midfield role after getting good reports from the player’s old club.

Dobson said: “Max Clark is one that we know can play midfield. He did it at Hull and the people we’ve spoken to there were waxing lyrical about him as a central midfielder.

“We didn’t want to risk Ethan [Coleman], Jonny [Williams] and Robbie [McKenzie]. It was worth having a look at Clarky in there if we ever needed it in the future.

“Clarky is a top pro. We were hoping to take him off a little bit earlier and we didn't because of the circumstances. But he just gets on with it.”

Clark was eventually subbed after 87 minutes.

The left-back is a regular starter for the Gills but had to make do with a substitute appearance last weekend.

Dobson said: “I spoke to him about last weekend and [it was] for tactical reasons why we left him out. Nothing more than that.

“When I told him I wasn’t sure about the Tuesday night and that I wanted to give Lenni [Cirino] a game, he went, ‘If you need me, I’ll play. I’ll play central midfield. That’s the type of person he is.

“I’ve nothing but good things to say about Clarky. It's nice because we know he’s got another string to his bow.”