Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler admits he may be forced to enter the loan market because of Andy Barcham’s continuing injury problems.

The Gills winger, pictured, has been plagued by an ankle injury all season and Hessenthaler believes his side are missing the pace and trickery that Barcham brings to the team.

Barcham, voted player-of-the-year last season, played for the first few weeks of the current campaign before injury left him sidelined. He returned briefly in January before breaking down again with ankle problems.

"He is still getting problems with the ankle which is a concern," admitted Hessenthaler. "He is not comfortable with it and so what we do next I don’t know. He’s doing strengthening work on it and we’ll have to wait and see. He’s not right at the moment.

"That wide area is perhaps where we’re lacking a bit. He is a miss. We haven’t got massive options and maybe that’s something we can look at if Barcham is out for a bit longer than we think.

"When the window is open again, it might be a case that we look for someone in the wide area."

The transfer window for loan players opens on Monday until the third Thursday in March.

How much have Gillingham missed Andy Barcham? Who would you like Gills to sign on loan? Have your say in our comments section below.