Gillingham captain Kyle Dempsey is primed to make his return to action this weekend.

Dempsey hasn’t played since the 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday in mid-November because of injury.

The 26-year-old was an unused substitute at MK Dons and boss Steve Evans felt even just having him around the changing room was a benefit to the squad.

“He didn’t get on the pitch but he played a big role on the day, in the dressing room before the game,” Evans said.

“He is not a big talker, but he is a big presence, people see Dempsey in the dressing room and think we have one hell of a player beside you.

“If he trains properly this week he is in contention for Ipswich.”

There is no doubt that if he is fit enough he will play.

Evans was tempted to put him on for a run-out at MK Dons but resisted the urge.

He said: “If he had trained more than half an hour on the Friday, we might have put him on the pitch.

“The medical advice was that he shouldn’t have been in the matchday squad but I wanted him in it.

“If we had of conceded with 10 minutes to go I would have put him straight on because we are in the business of getting points.”

With Vadaine Oliver and Max Ehmer also back, the Gills were finally able to name a full complement of substitutes.

“That was the most amazing thing,” joked the manager.

“We had seven subs including kids, young Bailey (Akehurst) missed out which is a shame for him because he is going to be a really good player. We had Gerald (Sithole) and Harvey (Lintott) with us. They have a bright future but they would be disappointed not to have got on the pitch at MK Dons because it is such a fantastic place to play but it was nice for Paul (Raynor the assistant) to fill out the teamsheet and have men like Dempsey and Olly Lee on the bench, not getting on.

“The only reason we didn't introduce Olly Lee was because Stuart O’Keefe was in the heat of the battle. It is difficult when you go into a game when it was open and expansive at the end but I thought we kept our shape and discipline.

“I spoke to their assistant manager, who played for me a long time ago, and he said ‘we couldn't get through’ and that it was a brilliant tactical performance and that is nice to hear from an opposition.”