GILLINGHAM'S top scorer Marlon King looks almost certain to miss the away clash with Walsall in Division 1 tonight after picking up a hamstring strain in the 1-1 weekend draw at Rotherham.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler was willing to give his star striker as long as possible to recover from the injury he sustained after half an hour but remained cautious about his chances.

King, who had netted three times in his previous three games before Saturday, remained philosophical about the injury and the speculation concerning his future at the club.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest after their manager Paul Hart decided not to watch his team play in the Carling Cup on Tuesday - preferring instead to go to Stoke, where Gillingham won 2-0 and King scored.

King said: “I'll come back from this injury. I've been to prison and come back, scored goals and then picked up a serious injury, so this isn't anything for me to worry about it. Mentally I'm very strong.

“I've got a mortgage to pay, so I've got bigger things to worry about! These type of things happen and all I have to focus on is trying to get fit for the next game.

“He (Paul Hart) has come to watch our team play, and we won the game. I've scored, which was a bonus for me, but there's nothing for me to talk about because I'm contracted to Gillingham FC at the moment."

King's injury and any possible transfer could open the door for on-loan striker Trevor Benjamin to make a permanent switch from Leicester to Priestfield - something he isn't concerned about at present.

Benjamin said: “I'm just happy to be playing football, because that's what I need. I've got two years left on my contract at Leicester, so we need to assess if moving here is the right or wrong thing.”

The big forward will come into Hessenthaler's thinking for the Walsall game as Gillingham look to make it four games unbeaten.

Hessenthaler, who is likely to start and therefore come face-to-face with Walsall's former Gills midfielder Simon Osborn, is looking forward to the contest.

He said: “Simon is a good footballer and that's why we wanted to keep him but unfortunately he left this club. It will be good to see him.

“We have to be positive and try and get all three points. We were disappointed with our second half performance against Rotherham but we didn't get beat and got a point. Hopefully we'll beat Walsall.”