by Eliot Goodyer

Gillingham boss Steve Evans has revealed striker Dominic Samuel is back fit much sooner than originally anticipated.

Samuel came off the bench on Saturday in the 1-1 draw with Hull City after recovering from a torn hamstring.

Speaking after the match, Evans said: “We are rushing Dominic back. We got him on the pitch and that is credit to him and the medical team, they have done brilliant.

“The kid is five or six weeks ahead of schedule and it is brilliant we got him out there but we need him because we are limited to numbers.”

Samuel’s return is obviously a welcome one considering the lack of striking options available to Evans.

Although John Akinde and, especially, Vadaine Oliver have both supplied goals in Samuel’s absence, Gills have been restricted to a more direct approach with those two in the team.

Evans will be hoping that either Akinde or Oliver will act as the perfect foil for Samuel who is comparatively more mobile, offers a different dimension to the Gills attack and has proven that he can be clinical.

Samuel netted six goals for the Gills before his injury from 16 starts.

It’s not just in the attacking department where Evans is light on numbers as Callum Slattery remains out and Robbie Cundy was

unavailable for Saturday’s match due to a minor knee issue.

Evans was very complimentary about both players who he considers crucial, saying: “(Callum Slattery) is back at (his parent club) Southampton for round the clock treatment. We thought first to second week in April (for his return).

“We are getting Dominic back now and hopefully he can play a meaningful part in April because he is a big player.

“We need Callum and Robbie (Cundy). Would those three players start for us if 100% fit, yes. They are three top players, along with Oliver, Dempsey and Graham, they are at that level,” he added.

Read more on the Gills;

Boss rues missed late chance at Hull