Gillingham captain Doug Loft made a heroic return to the starting XI on Saturday.

The Gills were short of defenders for the visit of Doncaster and Loft came to manager Justin Edinburgh’s rescue.

His performance, in an unfamiliar centre-back role, helped the Gills to a 1-0 win and Edinburgh was quick to praise his skipper.

He said: “Doug volunteered for that and it’s testament to his character. He was going to play, but he was going to play in midfield. He jeopardised his own performance and position to go and step in, and that shows real leadership for me.”

Edinburgh had selection problems after central defenders Adedeji Oshilaja and John Egan both got injured in the build-up to Saturday’s game. Young defender Callum Davies was also out of the equation as his deal with Bromley is still in place, despite the player having been recalled to the Gills.

Edinburgh said: “He came to us as he didn’t feel anyone else could do it and that is brave, in a different kind of way.

“Jordan Houghton has played there for Chelsea, but only at youth level. He knew the position but being as young as he is, that would have been a very young back line.

“We are pleased we got the right outcome. It was getting close and I nearly got a game myself!”