by Luke Cawdell

Chris Whelpdale will be assessed as late as possible this week to see if he is ready to make a return.

The midfielder, pictured, missed out on trip to Rotherham with a groin injury and is one of several Gillingham players hoping to be passed fit for the visit of Fleetwood on Saturday.

Connor Essam also missed the trip, having got close to making his first-team debut under manager Martin Allen. He suffered a deal leg, which turned into a case of haematoma.

Fellow defender Callum Davies, meanwhile, is hoping he soon gets a recall after being rested last week.

Allen said: "He has trained hard with Mark Patterson (development squad manager) and it was a good opportunity to take young Devante (McKain) away with the first team and that was good for him."

Romain Vincelot, who suffered a nasty head collision last weekend, will be assessed by the medical staff.