Lee Martin is making a quicker than expected recovery from injury and could be back before the end of the year.

The summer signing has been making rapid progress after

breaking and dislocating his ankle at Leyton Orient

in pre-season.

That match was abandoned because of the severity of the injury, occurring late in the game, and initial fears were that the 29-year-old former Ipswich Town player would miss the entire season.

But Martin has knocked months off his recovery period and is already out running on the training field.

Boss Justin Edinburgh recently revealed that the player could be back at the end of January but his return could now be quicker than that.

Edinburgh said: “He is now (due back in) December.

“It’s unbelievable and I am absolutely delighted for him. That is testament to the medical team and to Lee as well.

“We didn’t think we would see him again this season, let alone this year.”

Martin began his career as a youngster at Manchester United and played for a number of clubs on loan, including Ranger and Stoke City, before joining Ipswich in 2009, making 100 league appearances for them.

He had loan spells with Millwall and Northampton last season before joining the Gills on a free transfer in the summer.

Edinburgh said: “These are the things that lift the whole group and galvanise us because it is brilliant for him and the club.

“We haven’t seen him yet (in competitive action) and it would be like a new signing.”