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Gillingham’s young guns could see some action during Tuesday's Checkatrade Trophy match at Colchester.
Injuries have left the Gills desperately short of options, leaving them with a bench full of youngsters for the weekend trip to Blackburn.
The Gills’ outfield options on the bench boasted three league starts between them, at an average age of just 19.
Interim boss Peter Taylor won’t want to risk any more of his senior starters at Colchester, leaving the door open for the kids to shine.
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Speaking about those missing from the weekend, Taylor said: “Liam Nash is not injured. Luke O’Neill did his hamstring in the last home game.
“Alex Lacey turned his ankle over in training on Thursday, nobody was near him, and hopefully it’s not too serious. It might be a couple of weeks.
“Mark Byrne came off (on Saturday) because he was feeling his hamstring, so we couldn’t afford to take any chances there.”
The Gills are already without injured midfielders Scott Wagstaff and Billy Bingham.
Finn O’Mara, who made his debut at the weekend, could be in line for another appearance. He replaced injured Byrne at Blackburn.
“We need him around at the minute,” said Taylor, who recalled him from a loan spell at Folkestone.
“He is a competent boy, he can handle the ball and he can defend. I am sure he will be involved on Tuesday and that will get him used to us a bit more.”
Taylor could bring striker Tom Eaves back as his current suspension doesn’t count in the Trophy.