Gillingham boss Steve Evans continuing search for much-needed reinforcements as injuries take toll on squad

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:13, 10 February 2020

Updated: 10:02, 10 February 2020

The search goes on for new signings at Gillingham.

Injuries to Stuart O’Keefe and Alfie Jones left manager Steve Evans down to the bare bones at Burton.

Henry Woods warms up before the match at Burton on Saturday Picture: Ady Kerry

He recalled youngster Henry Woods to the bench, the first time he’s been named in a League 1 matchday squad since the opening month of the season.

There was nobody else available and Evans would love some more options.

“I am talking to one or two,” Evans said. “We will see if we can get them in but we will only bring them in if they can make a difference. We want to make sure they do that and they are affordable to us.

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“To go up to Burton with 16-17 players and with only two injured, it shows what we are doing. We don’t have the luxury of 25-30 players, but the dressing room is managing that itself because everyone is desperate to play.”

O’Keefe was named on the bench although Evans would have been reluctant to play him at the weekend as he had only just shaken off an injury.

Jones was left behind in Kent with a thigh injury but is expected to be back soon.

Matty Willock limped off at the weekend. It was only his second league start of the season but needed treatment from the physio. Evans says it’s not one to worry about though.

He said: “He just got cramp and felt it tightening right up. He has had a hamstring injury in that (left) leg before so as soon as he said he was cramping up we told him to go down and he came off but the introduction (of Jordan Graham) worked didn’t it?

“We always planned (to play him) for 60-70 minutes. There was no reason to take any risk but you could see what he brings to us.”

Evans said there was a chance Jones could be involved at Blackpool tomorrow (Tuesday).