Kevin Maher is eyeing more first-team action after making his comeback as a substitute at Southend last week. Picture: Barry Goodwin.

By Luke Cawdell

Kevin Maher made his first appearance for almost a month at Southend last Friday and is eager to get more minutes on the pitch.

Maher’s visit to old club Southend didn’t go to plan with Gills' last-gasp defeat, but he was happy to see some first-team action after his last appearance in the 4-1 defeat at Southampton at the start of October.

He said: "It was nice to be involved and on the pitch for 20 minutes. Hopefully now I’ll get some more minutes under my belt.

"Any time a player is out of the team you have to keep your head down and work hard. Things change quickly in football and you have to be ready.

"Those people who have got the shirt at the minute want to keep it and when you’re out of the side you’re working hard to get it. I need to keep working hard, get back in the team and stay in there."

Maher made 455 appearances for Southend and captained the side for much of his 10 years at Roots Hall.

The 33-year-old found last week’s stoppage-time defeat hard to take and is hoping to reverse the outcome when Gillingham host Southend in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.

"Gillingham had a good run last season and got a big side (Aston Villa). If you get a favourable draw you never know how far you can go.

"Our home form is very good and there is no reason why we can’t get a result on Saturday."