Simon King in action for the Gills against Millwall at Priestfield

by Luke Cawdell

Simon King admits this season could be his last if he suffers any more serious injury problems.

The Gillingham defender has been heavily involved in pre-season as he looks to put a nightmare two years behind him.

He has played only 196 minutes of competitive action for the Gills in the last two years and he will be out of contract at Priestfield once the coming season is over.

King, 28, admitted: "This could be my last chance and my last year at Gillingham so I have to go out all guns blazing.

"There is no point holding back and if it’s my last year, it’s my last year, so I may as well go out with a fight. I don’t want to let my injury get the better of me and people to remember me always being injured.

"Before my original injury, I didn’t miss many games. I am going to give it a good go this year.

"We have signed some great players and we’ve got good competition.

"That’s what we are here for, to make the gaffer’s job hard to pick a team this season."

King has featured in most of the pre-season friendlies so far and expects to be involved again when the Gills host Peterborough at Priestfield on Saturday.

He added: "I am surprised how the ankle is holding out this year. Last year I would never have thought I would have been able to play these games.

"It is still sore but I am managing it well and testing it and so far, so good.

"It’s always in the back of your mind, the damage I’ve done and that if I have any more ankle problems I could be struggling.

"But you can’t worry about things like that. I have had a good career and played a few games at some good grounds.

"I am going to go all out to enjoy myself. I want to get back a regular starting place and hopefully I can prove to the gaffer I am good enough to get in the team."

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