Gillingham goalkeeper Simon Royce's recovery is taking longer than expected, admitted manager Mark Stimson.

The Gills boss has left the goalkeeping duties in the hands of Derek Stillie for the last five games as Royce recovers from an ankle injury.

Royce’s last appearance was in mid-March as the Gills lost 3-0 at home to Crewe.

Stimson said: “He’s taking a lot longer than we would have liked and with a goalkeeper they do a lot of taking off and landing and so he has to be 100 per cent when he comes back – we just have to monitor it.

“Stillie has come in and hasn’t done badly and he didn’t have a chance with the goal as it was cleanly struck.”