Gillingham v Port Vale

GILLINGHAM boss Ronnie Jepson's preparations for the visit of Port Vale to Priestfield on Saturday are being hampered by further injury blows to his squad.

Although Darren Byfield was a second-half substitute in the midweek win against Doncaster, he is struggling to make the match and fellow striker Neil Harris is likely to be ruled out.

Defender Leon Johnson picked up his fifth booking of the season against Doncaster so Brent Sancho, who has been out since the start of October, could return.

Jepson said: "Neil Harris had a kick on his foot against Doncaster and it looks quite sore at the moment.

"These things come to test you, there’s no point whingeing because other people are in the same situation, so you have to use what is at your disposal and get the best out of it."

But Jepson admitted he is not sure what his starting side will be come 3pm on Saturday.

"I’d be telling you lies if I said I knew the team at this moment in time," he said.

"We know our shape for Saturday but if players have to come in then that’s what they are there for. It will show us if they are good enough and, when everybody is back to full fitness, people will be pushing for shirts and that will reflect on the players out on the pitch."

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