Exciting South American forward Jorge Hurtado’s future at Gillingham is in doubt – after just three substitute appearances.

The Gills were dealt a blow after scans revealed the Watford loan player picked up cartilage damage following his lively showing against Swindon Town on Tuesday night.

Hurtado was on the receiving end of a couple of robust challenges against Swindon, including one that led to a penalty, and one of those could prove costly.

The all-action 20-year-old has shown real promise in his three substitute appearances for the Gills, following his loan move at the end of the January transfer window. Parent club Watford have taken the player back while they assess the injury and whether he will require knee surgery.

Gillingham’s head coach Stephen Clemence spoke about the player’s injury situation after their 1-0 defeat at Newport - a game that was crying out for Hurtado’s flair.

Clemence said: “It is very disappointing for everybody, both inside the club, and for the supporters as well. His knee swelled up after the game, he took some big whacks in the last game and it looks like he has some cartilage damage.

“We are waiting to see if he needs surgery or not. I don’t know how long it will be, he has to see a specialist.

“Watford are in charge of that now and he was scanned on Thursday. The report has been sent to them and us and something is going on there, I don’t think it is anything too serious, but the parent club will decide what needs doing next and we are in their hands now.

“It is really disappointing because we could all see the talent that we had at the club.

“We still hope to have him back and hopefully it’s not too serious and with some rest maybe he can get back quicker, but I haven’t got my hopes up.

“Everybody will be disappointed, we all are as staff and the players are too because he has become a really likeable lad around the place even though he doesn’t speak much English, he always has a smile on his face.

“He can do things that other players can’t do at times, that South American movement, snake hips. It is a blow for us, but when that happens it is an opportunity for someone else isn’t it?”