An injury to Gills defender Matt Fish has opened the door for former Sunderland academy player Liam Marrs.

Fish injured his knee in a collision with the woodwork during Saturday’s pre-season defeat to Ipswich Town.

The injury to Fish isn’t deemed serious but Gills boss Peter Taylor is keen to keep his options open with the Football League season kicking off on August 9.

Right-back Marrs, 21, was a regular in the Sunderland reserves but was released in January without making a senior appearances. He played 79 minutes for the Gills against Dover on Tuesday night.

Marrs has previously enjoyed a successful loan spell with non-league Boston United and started pre-season on trial at League 2 Carlisle United.

“He is someone I wanted to look at,” said Gills boss Peter Taylor.

“We had an injury to Fish on Saturday and he is someone I have known about. He is a little bit like a Michael Harriman type. He hasn’t played much football and I thought he did very well.

“He is a tidy footballer. It wasn’t an easy one for him (on Tuesday) but I thought he did some good things.”

Marrs is expected to play against Ebbsfleet on Saturday as Fish is again doubtful.