Young defender Josh Hare faces an anxious wait to find out how serious his latest knee injury is.

Hare was carried off on a stretcher 25 minutes into Gillingham’s pre-season match at Tonbridge on Saturday.

He had only just returned to fitness after missing half of last season with knee ligament damage. The latest injury is on the same knee and he is expected to be scanned on Monday.

“It is extremely disappointing for the lad,” said boss Justin Edinburgh, who handed the 20-year-old a six-month deal at the end of last season.

“He has worked tremendously hard since I have been at the club to get himself fit and back into the fold.

“He did very well on Tuesday (at Folkestone) and was looking good again but it doesn’t look promising. It is a big blow for him and I feel for him.

“Hopefully we can get the scan in quick, diagnose it and see where we go from there.”