Defender Max Ehmer could be back quicker than expected for Gillingham.

Ehmer dislocated his shoulder at Rotherham in early December but an operation wasn’t required and he’s been working hard to make a return.

Gillingham’s game at MK Dons on New Year’s Day may come too early but boss Steve Evans says the defender is working hard.

“He is making rapid progress,” said Evans.

“It was not as bad as we thought when we first saw the injury and then when we heard it took three hours to reset the shoulder.

“The only thing is making sure those ligaments are strong enough when he goes to play. To be fair to Max, he is working around the clock and doing a lot of strength work to make sure he is right.”

Gillingham are hoping some other key men return soon.

Norwich loan midfielder Dan Adshead has been back at the Premier League club receiving treatment after suffering a broken bone in his foot.

“It was a clean break and is just about time with him,” Evans said.

“Dan is a young man and I am sure he is desperate to be back and it will be killing him but he has been getting Premier League treatment and we are hoping to see Dan back in the middle of Jan.”

It’s been a hit and miss time for Adshead at the Gills, but that’s just what Evans expected.

He said: “Norwich were brilliant with the deal and he has done exactly what we expected, some good games, some not so good. It is a learning curve for him and he will be a very good player, he has just turned 20. We want to bring him back and work with him.”

Leading scorer Vadaine Oliver and captain Kyle Dempsey are also closing in on a return.

“Both are working incredibly hard to get fit,” said Evans.

“We don't need them next week we need them last week.

“We have a guy who got 22 goals last season in Oliver and the best aerial man outside the top five or six in the Championship and Dempsey. When he is on the pitch he is a Championship player.

“The minute they are on the grass, the one thing you get with those two is that they are incredibly fit and I’ve watched them go through the most rigorous of sessions in the gym and they are doing a lot of strength work. When they go on the grass they will be fine but we are just making sure they are bang on when they get there.”