Gillingham's hunt for defensive cover took on greater significance following an injury to player of the year Simon King.

A groin injury to King will keep him out for at least a week and his absence highlights the shortage of centre-backs at Priestfield with only Garry Richards and first-year professional Tom Wynter as manager Mark Stimson’s other options.

Stimson drafted in trialist central defenders Chris McCready and Aaron Brown for Saturday’s pre-season win at Folkestone as he searches high and low for players to bolster his options.

"It’s an area we’re looking at but unfortunately there aren’t many (central defenders) around," said Stimson. "But we are looking to improve or maybe compete with the two we’ve got.

"Mark Bentley can play there but he’s not fit at the moment and it’s an area we know we have to do something – we are trying to.

"If we don’t get one in permanently then we’ll get one on a loan basis where there are a few available."

Brown and McCready are both out of contract having been released by their respective clubs.

Brown, 26, played 25 games for League 1 Yeovil last season, while 27-year-old McCready had his season with Crewe plagued by injury.

"They’ve both got league experience but the Folkestone game was really no test for them," said Stimson.

"Hopefully they can come and play in the week, and we’ll look at them. If they stay around for the next week we may get some more games out of them and the opposition might ask a few more questions."