Gills boss Justin Edinburgh hopes the worst is over following a start to the season blighted by injuries.

Apart from the long-term absentees, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was the only one missing when the Gills returned to training at the start of the week.

And even he could be back on Saturday when the Gills travel to Bristol Rovers.

Edinburgh is confident results and performances will improve once he gets a settled team and those returning players are up to full speed.

Ryan Jackson, Scott Wagstaff, Cody McDonald and Bradley Dack are aiming to get up to match fitness following recent injuries, while Chris Herd and Frank Nouble are playing catch-up after recently signing.

Edinburgh said: “I don’t think I have ever experienced a run (of injuries) like it in my senior managerial career.

“Last year we had hardly any injuries, we had a clear run, we had a small squad and a lot of players played a lot of games. This year we have been disrupted and decimated by a lot of injuries.

“Once those players get back in, they get their match fitness and we become competitive again, then I have full confidence that we will be in a good position.”

Emmanuel-Thomas is hoping to be fit at the weekend after suffering from a ligament strain on the knee.

Rory Donnelly is missing as he completes a two-game ban.