Gillingham boss Peter Taylor is hoping an hour’s run-out for Cody McDonald in Tuesday’s League Cup tie has got him back on course.

Last season’s leading scorer had been sidelined since the opening day of the season.

An ankle injury forced him to miss Gillingham’s next four games but McDonald was back for the midweek clash against Newcastle.

Taylor took McDonald off midway through the second half to preserve him for this weekend’s match against struggling Crewe.

Taylor said: “We knew he wasn’t going to play any longer than that and we’ve got a massive game here on Saturday.

“Hopefully, with an hour behind him, he will feel good on Thursday and look forward to Saturday.”

McDonald scored Gillingham’s first goal of their campaign and will be hoping to add to that tally against a Crewe team without a point from their first four League 1 games.

And Steve Davis’ side also had a long evening on Tuesday, with their League Cup game against Bolton going into extra-time. Crewe eventually lost 3-2.

Taylor is again set to be without captain Doug Loft (Achilles) but Joe Martin (thigh) has a chance. Amine Linganzi remains out with a hamstring injury while keeper Stuart Nelson (hand) will also be an absentee.