by Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler has halted plans to bring in any more loan signings after receiving assurances that some of his current crop are ready to return from injury.

The Gillingham manager (pictured) had been hunting for defensive cover, after being left short last week but Matt Lawrence is set to return on Saturday for the trip to Oxford.

Hessenthaler, who had 13 players missing last weekend, is also eyeing returns to the first team for Simon King, Andy Barcham and Garry Richards.

"We’ve been looking at players but Matt Lawrence will be fit for the weekend," said the Gills boss.

"I don’t think I will bring someone in. Simon King is going well and that’s encouraging. Garry Richards should be back training next week and Andy Barcham also has a chance of returning to training.

"There may be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel with injuries but we won’t get too carried away as we know how quickly things can change."

Lawrence replaces youngster Callum Davies, who is banned after his red card against Crewe last weekend, while Hessenthaler also welcomes Danny Spiller and John Nutter back to the squad from suspension.

One player Hessenthaler did look at bringing in was towering central defender Ben Futcher from Bury but he, ironically, chose this weekend’s opponents Oxford instead.

"He’s known Chris Wilder (Oxford manager) for a while and I think that’s why," said Hessenthaler.

"We did speak about him. He gave us a thought but he decided to go there.

"You are not always going to get players to come and play for you."