Gillingham boss Peter Taylor has confirmed the release of fitness coach James Russell.

The Gills boss admitted it was a tough decision to let Russell go but he wants a different approach in that department.

Taylor was, however, keen to point out that Russell’s departure was not connected to the club’s injury problems this season.

He said: “It was not an easy decision because he is a young lad that has worked hard here and he enjoys being a fitness coach.

“But in the end I looked at how it was working and I decided to make the change.

“I am not looking to bring in another full-time fitness coach in but I am looking to get closer to it a little bit myself, with the experience I have had around different levels and different clubs.

“There are certain things we can do that I think I can add to it.

“I know there was something recently in the paper where I was quoted as saying ‘don’t blame me’ which wasn’t the case. I am not blaming anyone. I am certainly not blaming myself or members of staff here.

“The injuries that we have had, the majority have been during matches and anything can happen because there are 11 against 11, they all want to do extremely well and you can twist and turn and get walloped.

“Some of them have been impact injuries. That would be too hard for James to get the blame. We have just been unlucky.

“It was just the way it had been working on a daily basis which is the reason I have decided to make a change and I am going to get a bit more involved myself.

“I still feel that I am looking for them to be a bit fitter and sharper. I was having to start getting involved in some of the planning for that and in the end I have decided to take control of that.”