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Sport

Gillingham manager Steve Lovell expects striker Josh Parker to kick on after ending goal drought against Wycombe

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:47, 17 December 2018

Updated: 08:06, 17 December 2018

Josh Parker ended a three-month goal drought with Gillingham’s equaliser against Wycombe in League 1 on Saturday.

Manager Steve Lovell was delighted to see his striker getting back to form as Gills earned a point in the 2-2 draw – but believes there is more to come.

Lovell said: “He is intelligent, he is clever and, with his ability as well, he is an excellent player.

Josh Parker rescued a point on Saturday Picture: Ady Kerry

“I am pleased that he has come back and been close to the Josh Parker of old.

“I still think there is a little more to go. We have half a season to go where I still think we can get the best out of Josh.”

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Parker missed a handful of games after Lovell left him out through a lack of form and then because of his international commitments.

He has started Gillingham’s last four games, coinciding with an upturn in form for the club.

Lovell said: “He wasn’t performing like Josh Parker can and he didn’t have the best game on Saturday, I didn’t think, but he works hard and he keeps going.

“He helps people on the pitch. People don’t always see what he does, apart from when he has got the ball.

“He can pop up with goals like that, it was a great header and the assist he got, without actually touching the ball, for Tom Eaves’ goal. People wouldn’t have seen that but he edged the centre-half out of the way, it fell to Tom and it’s a goal.”

Parker scored his third goal of the campaign on Saturday. When asked if it was possible to repeat last season’s tally of 12, Lovell responded: “If he continues the way he is doing, he will, but there is no guarantee, he has to keep working on it.

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“It is the other things he brings to the table, like I mentioned. We have goals among us.”

Lovell did admit to a few concerns at the back following the weekend draw.

“We looked a little vulnerable,” he said. “Alex Lacey came in (for injured Max Ehmer) and did a decent job.

“I felt that Alex was a little bit nervous but he will grow into it and he will get better because he is a good player and he got better as the game went on.”

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