Cody McDonald was rested for Tuesday night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie but may have a battle to force his way back in.

Gills boss Peter Taylor faces a selection dilemma ahead of this weekend’s crucial League 1 match against Leyton Orient.

Taylor said: “I told him (Cody) he wasn’t going to start (on Tuesday) and he never was, no matter what happened last Saturday because I wanted the other players to show me if they could be in the team ahead of him.

“Cody appreciates he is not an automatic choice. He is the same as everyone and needs to prove he should be in that starting line-up.”

Taylor will be without Kortney Hause (England under-20 duty) and there are doubts around the fitness of Josh Pritchard (hip) and Callum Davies (foot).

Amine Linganzi and Aaron Morris (both hamstring) remain out, while Joe Martin starts a three-game ban.

The Gills boss made four changes to his team in midweek and has plenty to ponder.

He said: “There are not many times you are going to come off the pitch and be distraught with all 11 or over the moon with all 11."