More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Gillingham captain Max Ehmer says he is willing to do whatever it takes to get the season completed.
Playing up to three matches a week inside empty stadiums might be the only way but the German defender insists finishing what they started is important.
He said: “ I don’t see how you can cancel this season and start another with all of the work that has gone on. I don’t think that is fair on anyone.
“You could smash the games out in a month, five or six weeks, just to get the season finished.
“We play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday enough and if we had to play another game in the week because that is what is needed to get the season finished then fine and even if that means a shorter break in the summer.”
Teams without play-off commitments would have been expected to sign off after the first weekend of May and not return until the end of June.
If there is any chance this season is completed then the turnaround to the next would have to be quick.
Ehmer said: “You would have to do it. We are not getting our summer break now, we obviously can’t go on holiday, but we are still getting time off and hopefully it is just a one off.
“We can get back, finish the season and move onto the next one. At least we wouldn’t need much of a pre-season and I think I would prefer it that way.
“The health of everyone in the world is the main thing right now, so we just need to keep self isolating to make sure everything is right.”
Ehmer has been taking to the garden and the garage to keep himself in good condition.
“We are doing as much as we can,” said the 28-year-old.
“It is obviously hard to replicate a game or real training but we are trying to do as much as we can. The fitness work that Jamma (coach James Russell) has given us is good and hopefully when we come back we should be near enough match fit.
“I have got a decent enough sized garden where I can play football. You can’t do certain things like the body shape when you are defending, or the technique side of it, but we should be fine.
“I have been doing bike work and running daily, gym work as well. I feel good. I can go out to my garage where I have a bike and I can do press-ups and a core workout. It is nice out there, I can get away from the kids for a bit!"
Ehmer’s last appearance was his 250th for the Gills, helping the side to a last-gasp draw at Sunderland a month ago.
He played despite dislocating his shoulder the week before. The break has helped that to recover as well as another niggling injury.
“The shoulder is fine but I had a little issue with my heel which I have had since Boxing Day,” he revealed.
“Certain games I would be struggling but I didn’t want to make point of it. I would miss the odd training session because of it but this is helping and I just need to make sure I am ready for when we are back in.”
Ehmer had previously spoken about how he was in the best form of his career, something that manager has also expressed, and that should help when it comes to contract negotiations.
His deal is up at the end of June but that’s not his main concern right now.
“That is something I have put to the back of my mind,” he said.
“It is way down the pecking order in terms of priority.
“Once we are back in I am sure I will hear more about it and then go from there. I have to wait for the gaffer and the chairman and see what their plans are.
“I love it here. I have been here five and a half years. My last appearance was my 250th. It is a good achievement and hopefully there are more to come.”
More on the Gills;
