Gills boss Peter Taylor believes Jake Hessenthaler is beginning to replicate some of the best bits of his father’s game.

Jake’s father Andy – assistant manager to Taylor – was known for his tigerish approach to the game and combative attitude.

Taylor is keen that Hessenthaler jnr gets the balance right – something that he’s still working on.

He said: “I don’t think some of his play has been as good as last season but his defensive work has been fantastic. He has not stopped running for the team and has been terrific.

“I don’t ever want to take away the footballer in him but when I did first see him here, I said if he played a bit more like his dad, he would be some player. He is grafting hard defensively and has to add that to his game.”

Hessenthaler has been deployed as a defensive midfielder for much of this season and a slight hamstring injury after the weekend highlighted the commitment he has been putting in.

Taylor said: “Maybe he has been a touch tired. For him to have fatigue in the hamstring area is understandable for the amount of ground he has covered.”

The 20-year-old was rested from training on Monday but is expected to be fit for the trip to Sheffield United on Saturday.