Gavin Tomlin gets treatment before eventually being replaced by Danny Spiller Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gavin Tomlin began the weekend thrilled to have recovered from injury but left the Kassam Stadium on crutches.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler was saddened to see the forward receive another injury blow so soon after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Tomlin’s previous injury had kept him out for nine matches but just five minutes into his return against Oxford he was clattered into by defender Liam Davis. Moments later he was substituted after being unable to shake off the damage done to his ankle.

"I am devastated for the kid," said Hessenthaler.

"He has been bright and lively in training during the week and he is an intelligent player. He is the spark we had perhaps been missing.

"As soon as he went down he was punching the floor because he had twisted the ankle and he tried to carry on. Unfortunately he couldn’t as it was too much for him."

Even his replacement Danny Spiller didn’t make it to the final whistle. He has been out for a lengthy spell this season.

"He (Spiller) played 70 odd minutes and he was out on his feet," said Hessenthaler. "Jo Kuffour and Rowan Vine haven’t had a lot of football either and we were running on empty but I couldn’t have asked for any more from them."