Gillingham v Colchester

GILLINGHAM manager Neale Cooper is assessing the fitness of several players ahead of the club's opening League 1 match against Colchester at Priestfield on Saturday.

And preparations have been further hampered by the departure of striker Darius Henderson to Watford on Thursday.

Danny Jackman (groin), Danny Spiller (ankle) and Matt Jarvis (thigh) have all missed training this week but could be fit for the game, although Alan Pouton (knee) is likely to be rested.

Steve Banks (groin), Tony Bullock (foot), Tom Williams (ankle) and Mark Saunders (leg) are all definite non-starters.

Although injuries have made planning for the match difficult, Cooper is glad to have boosted his striking options with the arrival of striker Paul Shields from Forfar.

Darren Byfield, who has impressed in pre-season, is a near certain starter on Saturday, especially after Darius Henderson's exit from the club.

Speaking ahead of Henderson's move to Watford, Cooper said: "We needed a striker in as Darius Henderson has been out all week with a hamstring. Paul has got a great reputation up north. He’s a promising lad and he’ll work his socks off for us."

The Gills boss now intends to find cover at the back and remains interested in Brent Sancho, who spent the week at Kilmarnock as a triallist.

He said: "We’re still keen on Brent Sancho and he said he’d prefer to come back down here. He seemed to enjoy it and hopefully something can be sorted out."

The Trinidad and Tobago defender impressed many during his appearances for Gillingham in pre-season against Eastbourne and Barnet, but will need a work-permit before anything can be done.

Cooper may also now need to sign another striker after Henderson's exit, which left him with only three natural front men in Byfield, Roberts and new boy Shields.