Gillingham’s new manager John Coleman has updated fans on the club's current injury situation and whether he plans to change the captaincy.

Since the turn of the year there have been plenty of players coming back to fitness and there were only two players missing from action when Coleman took charge of training for the first time on Tuesday afternoon.

It means the new boss has plenty of players to choose from when the Gills host Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

A clean slate means all positions are up for grabs, including in defence. Max Ehmer’s captaincy has come under scrutiny from fans during a tough period for the club and Coleman was asked if he planned on making a change.

“Not at the moment,” was his response.

“Everyone's got an opportunity. We've got a club captain at the moment in Max and he's got an opportunity himself.

“I will be looking to bring in new players. That's an option I've got that I probably will take up but everyone's got a chance now to welcome people in, (to say) ‘they're going to play with me, not instead of me’. I always took that approach as a player.

“When I played non-league football, and I played for some good clubs, I was a striker and whenever we signed a striker I never thought he was going to take my place. I would welcome the challenge and welcome them on board to play with me, rather than instead of me. Our players will be treated the same in that respect.”

Central defender Conor Masterson is one of those out injured along with striker Oli Hawkins.

“I don't think they're particularly long term,” Coleman said.

“I think they're the only two who are out injured at the moment. For this time of the year that's quite good to be honest.

“I know we've got a good medical team here and we've got a good backroom staff who are the sports scientists and the fitness coaches and strength and conditioning coaches. They work hard to provide that and that is a very important part of football these days.

“The game has developed dramatically. It's modernised beyond belief, both technical awareness and the fact that players are getting fitter.

“They are fitter, stronger, quicker so they're more susceptible for injury and they have to be monitored carefully. Thankfully we've got the facilities to do that.”

Coleman has brought in Jimmy Bell as his no.2 at the club while first-team coach Pete Gill and goalkeeper coach Deren Ibrahim have remained from the previous coaching team.

The manager said: “It gives me a steer on the way things are.

“I'm not one of these people who thinks it's got to be my way or no way, that I'll change things just for the sake of changing because I want to do something different or to be seen to be making a big change. I'm not like that at all.

“I'll sit back, spend my time looking at the way it's being run with a little bit of continuity and then tweak things as I see fit.

“I won't be doing everything the same as what's gone on in the past. There's certain things that I will keep and certain things that I won't keep. It takes time to look at what works and what doesn't work or for me and what I ultimately think will work for the players.”