Goalkeeper Jake Turner has returned to training this week ahead of Gillingham’s game against Carlisle United.

Manager Mark Bonner will also hope to have midfielder Armani Little available after he trained too.

Little only featured in the early weeks of pre-season before an ankle injury in training set him back.

Bonner, speaking on Thursday afternoon, said: “We just need to see how he shapes up and we need to decide whether he will be available and for how long.”

Forwards Elliott Nevitt (hip) and Josh Andrews (thigh) remain out and aren’t likely to be involved on Saturday. Bonner doesn’t see either as being long-term, however.

He said: “It’s a concern that they are not available and they are good players for us, but not long-term concerns, just missing for the first bit.

“They will both be back soon enough and we can’t wait to see them.”

Midfielder Ethan Coleman’s been missing all pre-season and is working overtime to catch up.

Bonner said: “Ethan was running really hard (on Thursday) and throwing up so he is getting close!

“He has a bit of work to do but he is working his socks off at the moment.

“He is playing catch-up but his ankle is looking strong and we hope to have him back in training soon.

“He has a lot of the pre-season stuff to do and he has missed a long time. We got him out on the hottest morning in the world and (fitness coach) Jammo worked him!”

Bonner has yet to name his captain and says he will talk to the players involved on Friday (tomorrow). Max Ehmer’s been wearing the armband throughout pre-season.

Thursday’s press-conference took place in earshot of a darts competition in the players’ lounge, including goalkeeping coach Deren Ibrahim who was seen wearing one of the new flowered-design shirts available in the club shop.

It’s a togetherness that Bonner likes to see but it’s from 3pm on Saturday when it really counts.

He said: “It is great to see but it only matters when the whistle blows. You can have fun with the darts, but it doesn’t win you football matches!

“I want players to enjoy coming to work, I want them to enjoy each other’s company and I want them to feel like there is a togetherness where they get along, all that stuff is really important and I am not downplaying it.

“It is important and not a given but team spirit really is what happens when the whistle blows and when things go against you in the game. All that is nice but in the end we need to be a team that wins.”