By Luke Cawdell

Stuart Lewis has described the last two weeks as a "nightmare" after his pre-season was shattered by injury.

Lewis, pictured, was heading into the new campaign with a chance of becoming a first-team regular, but instead finds himself hobbling on the sidelines.

A crunching tackle at Bishop’s Stortford means the midfielder will miss the start of the season. He could be out for as long as six weeks and the 21-year-old admits it is a bitter pill to swallow.

"It’s so disappointing," he said. "I was pleased with how the season ended and it’s gutting, especially for the injury to come in during pre-season.

"I had come in early for pre-season training and had been doing work with the fitness trainer Danny Ellis and I know I’m going to have to go through a few more of those sessions. It’s a massive blow to me but hopefully I can come back stronger."

Lewis began the summer with his first goal in a Gillingham shirt, during the 5-0 rout of Faversham, and started against Bishop’s Stortford where Mark Stimson named what the Gills boss described as his strongest team. But Lewis was caught by a strong tackle in the first half and ended the evening in hospital.

Lewis said: "I just remember receiving the ball, and it’s not a good thing to admit, but I just didn’t see the player coming and I wasn’t prepared.

"It’s gutting to be missing games and the trip to France and while the team were out there I was stuck at home. It’s been a complete nightmare.”