FRESH injury blows have left Gillingham player-manager Andy Hessenthaler no nearer fulfilling his season-long dream of fielding a settled side.

As he looks to stop the club's down-table slide with the first of four games in 11 days at home to Reading this Saturday, Hessenthaler faces being without goalkeeper Jason Brown and defenders Nyron Nosworthy and Chris Hope.

Hessenthaler was back in the hunt for a replacement goalkeeper after Brown pulled up early in Monday's training game at Gravesend after aggravating an old thigh injury.

He had only just returned to the side for their last game at Burnley on February 7 having hobbled out of the home match against Preston on December 13.

Although second choice Bertrand Bossu was outstanding for the reserves in Wednesday's goalless draw at Peterborough, it was not enough to convince Hessenthaler who has been trying to sign a replacement in time to face Reading.

Arsenal's Stuart Taylor, Paul Gerrard of Ipswich and Sunderland's Norwegian international Thomas Myhre are possible candidates plus former Charlton goalkeeper Sasa Ilic now with Barnsley. Gillingham have until noon on Saturday to sign someone.

"We're ringing around our friends in the Premier League and elsewhere to see who is available,'" said Hessenthaler. "We can't get Nico Vaesen back from Birmingham because he's gone out on loan to Bradford City but we shall keep looking."

Nosworthy has been told to rest a groin injury and may need surgery. Kevin James will continue to deputise at right-back. Even the dependable Hope has not escaped the injury jinx and will be out for three weeks after turning an ankle on Tuesday.

With Ian Cox out after ankle surgery, Leon Johnson or Dean Beckwith will join Barry Ashby at the heart of the defence, though Ashby has not trained this week because of a dead-leg.

Midfielder Mark Saunders, who can also play at the heart of the defence, went into hospital on Thursday for an ankle operation that will keep him out for five to six weeks.

On top of that, striker Darius Henderson, who faces his former club for the first time since moving from Reading last month, will have an operation on Monday for a groin problem.

On the brighter side, John Hills and Tommy Johnson are available after missing the 1-0 defeat at Burnley through suspensions while striker Rod Wallace remains injury-free.

Mamady Sidibe is also available for the first time since last month having been on international duty with Mali in the African Cup of Nations.

But he may have to wait for a recall to the starting line-up. He played for an hour at Peterborough on Wednesday but looked jaded and will probably be on the bench with Henderson continuing to partner Patrick Agyemang up front.

"I've said since day one of the season that we need to have a settled side to be consistent," said Hessenthaler.

"Unfortunately that just hasn't happened and this latest crop of injuries have not helped, though I do have increased options in attack."

Reading will be without Nicky Forster, who has always received a hostile reception from Gills fans on his returns to Priestfield, after quitting the club to sign for Brentford in June 1994. He is out for with stomach muscle problems.