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Steve Evans says injuries are mounting up for Gillingham ahead of Blackpool match

Gillingham are dealing with a number of injury problems ahead of the midweek visit of Blackpool.

Matty Willock has been the main absentee in the early weeks of the League 1 campaign - he hasn't featured yet - but others have been struggling too.

Gills boss Steve Evans says he’s expecting to name a few youngsters on the bench against a side who have won all three of their opening games in the league.

Gillingham boss Steve Evans says he might have to name youngsters on the bench against Blackpool Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham boss Steve Evans says he might have to name youngsters on the bench against Blackpool Picture: Ady Kerry

Speaking to the club’s website, Evans said: “Matty Willock might miss out. We are giving him every chance and we worked really hard to convince him to ply his trade here but he’s been unlucky. But we have more than Matty that is a concern for us.

“The players had a day off (on Saturday) to try and get over a few niggles and nasties and a few of them having been playing through that.

"Let’s hope some of them can play (on Tuesday). If not we’ll go with what we’ve got and we’ll ask and expect them to give us 100%.”

Striker Mikael Ndjoli will be suspended for Tuesday's game against Blackpool following his dismissal against Newport County last week in the Carabao Cup.

The Gills were without a game on Saturday after the match with Bury was suspended. The EFL are awaiting assurances that the north-west side can pay off creditors and fulfill the season.

Problems at Bury, and fellow League 1 side Bolton, are just the tip of the iceberg, says chairman Paul Scally.

Mikael Ndjoli was sent off for the Gills against Newport County Picture: Ady Kerry
Mikael Ndjoli was sent off for the Gills against Newport County Picture: Ady Kerry

Mr Scally believes other clubs in the lower leagues will also suffer. Click here to read his comments.

Blackpool are making the early running in League 1, along with Lincoln City, having enjoyed wins over Oxford, Southend and Bristol Rovers.

Opposition manager Simon Grayson said his side were “down to the bare bones a little bit on Saturday.” Captain Jay Spearing is one of those missing.

Evans hasn’t named the players struggling in his own squad, but said: “We’ve got a number of casualties.

Simon Grayson has led his Blackpool side to three straight wins in League 1 Picture: Kevin McGuinness/Lancashire Evening Post
Simon Grayson has led his Blackpool side to three straight wins in League 1 Picture: Kevin McGuinness/Lancashire Evening Post

“I’ve read that Simon Grayson is short of numbers but you will see a couple of kids on our bench, with nobody else available.”

The Gills played a game at Peterborough on Thursday, to give some of their younger pros a match, but did also include senior players Mark Marshall and Mikael Mandron.

Evans said: "Three or four of our senior squad got good minutes into their legs. It was a competitive game on a beautiful pitch."

Read more: The latest sports news from Kent

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