Boss Justin Edinburgh hasn’t given up hope that two of Gillingham’s key men could be fit for the season opener.

The Gills head into their home game against League 1 title favourites Sheffield United with injury concerns over captain Doug Loft and last season’s leading scorer Cody McDonald.

Both have missed a large part of pre-season with neither managing a full 90 minutes yet.

Despite the lack of action, Edinburgh knows their importance to the team and is prepared to give them every chance to prove their fitness.

He said: “We would have liked them to have played a lot more than they have. They are two of the most experienced outfield players.

“We have dealt well with that in pre-season but hopefully we can get them back into training and into the squad for Saturday or if not, not too far beyond that.

“There is a chance for both. Will they both play? It would be a big call with the lack of match minutes but if they are available for selection, then you would look to be putting them in and around the bench.”

Edinburgh is more confident about the fitness of midfielders Aaron Morris and Jordan Houghton. Both picked up knocks in pre-season but are expected to be involved at Priestfield on Saturday.

Seven pages of Gills coverage, ahead of their season opener against Sheffield United, in this Friday's Medway Messenger newspaper.