Exclusive by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham's League 1 survival plans were rocked on New Year’s Eve when Matt Fry became the latest player to be ruled out with a long-term injury.

The highly-rated on-loan West Ham defender (pictured) underwent a knee operation on Thursday and will now be sidelined for four to six weeks.

Fry’s injury follows a catalogue of setbacks this season that has seen key players face long lay-offs that have hampered Gillingham’s progress.

Gills boss Mark Stimson said: "When we found out on New Year’s Eve it was a massive blow.

"Matt has been a pleasure to work with and he’s put in some fantastic performances, especially for someone who is so young and had never before played a league game.

"He’s been a big player for us and he’s going to be out for four to six weeks, and after that time we’ll see where we go. He could come back on loan."

Fry picked up his injury towards the end of the Exeter game on Bank Holiday Monday. Parent club West Ham sent him for scans which revealed a tear in his knee cartilage.

Stimson is still without Simon King (ankle), who has been missing since pre-season. Danny Jackman (shoulder), Simon Royce (knee), Andy Barcham (knee), Febian Brandy (ankle) and Garry Richards (knee) have also been missing in recent weeks for various lengths of time.