Gillingham captain Gabriel Zakuani looks set to miss the remainder of the season.

He landed badly on Saturday following a challenge that knocked out opposition striker Keiffer Moore.

Zakuani, who has been a mainstay in the Gills defence this season, is to be operated on this Wednesday.

Boss Steve Lovell is expecting the worse.

He said: “It’s not a break but he has done the ligaments I think in his ankle.

“I think that will see him out for the rest of the season, which is a massive blow for us, obviously.”

The 32-year-old has played 34 games for the Gills this season but Saturday looks to have been his last.

He suffered the injury after landing awkwardly on his left ankle, having challenged Moore for an aerial ball.

While Moore was hospitalised after being knocked out, Zakuani also ended up in hospital that night having left the ground on crutches.

The Gills have 15 games left of the season and are in a relegation fight, dropping into the bottom four after a heavy home defeat to Barnsley at the weekend.

Losing their skipper is another blow to their survival hopes.

Fellow centre-half Alex Lacey is also injured and still several weeks away from a return, meaning Connor Ogilvie may have to slot in alongside Max Ehmer at the heart of the defence.

Other options for Lovell include Billy Bingham, who played in central defence for former club Crewe and is back in full training.