Gillingham manager Mark Stimson admits he has been keeping his fingers crossed for the last two matches after playing without a substitute goalkeeper.

Stimson has been without reserve goalie Alan Julian through injury and with youngster Chris Kiely on loan at Bromsgrove Rovers he’s had no back-up on the bench.

“We got away with it again on Saturday,” said Stimson. “I’m hoping he’ll (Julian) be available on Tuesday because I do like the comfort of having a reserve goalkeeper on the bench.”

Midfielder Mark Bentley has been nominated to take the gloves in the meantime should anything happen to Simon Royce in the games.

Stimson has looked at bringing someone in as cover but admits it could be a fruitless exercise.

“If you bring someone in and then Alan is fit on Tuesday you’ve wasted a keeper,” he said. “Any keeper who comes with any quality will want to play but I can’t leave Royce out because he’s been playing well.

“It’s a little tricky situation but I’m hoping Alan will be fit Tuesday and if not, fingers crossed, Royce gets through another 90 minutes.”