Skipper Barry Fuller (pictured) will miss Gillingham’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round tie against Colchester United at Priestfield on Tuesday night.

The 24-year-old defender limped off at Walsall on Saturday with a shin injury, and boss Mark Stimson said: "It was the same size as his thigh after the game, and is a bad one, but we hope it’s only bruising.

"He wouldn’t have played even if he was fit, because he needs a rest having
played a lot of games but it gives somebody else an opportunity.

"We would like to rest one or two more because they deserve it, but the rules say you must play six of the team who have started most games this season."

Stimson added: "We do owe Colchester one, they beat us in the league the other week when I didn’t think they deserved to, and knocked us out of this competition, and the Carling Cup, last season."