Gillingham have been hit with an injury blow ahead of their return to Priestfield this weekend.

Head coach Stephen Clemence will have to make do without young midfielder Dom Jefferies for the next few weeks after he suffered a muscle strain in the week.

No time frame has been put on Jefferies’ injury absence but Clemence did say the former Brentford player will be missing for “a number of weeks” after suffering a thigh injury.

Jefferies only just returned to the team following a knee injury and played an important part in an improved performance at MK Dons last weekend.

Clemence said: “It’s very disappointing that we lost Dom Jefferies this week, he has pulled his thigh and I am not expecting him back in the next number of weeks.

“It is very disappointing for him and very disappointing for everybody because Dom is a really good football player.

“He is 21 years old and someone that we should be trying to build things around.

“It’s a difficult one to take, he will be missed because I thought he was absolutely fantastic against MK Dons.”

With Jefferies missing, Clemence could recall Jayden Clarke to the matchday squad or play Jonny Williams on the left side - despite the playmaker preferring to play more centrally. It could also mean another opportunity for George Lapslie.

Clemence also now has additional options with Jorge Cabezas Hurtado and Josh Walker added to the ranks this week.

Big striker Oli Hawkins, meanwhile, trained on Thursday. He went off with a groin strain at MK Dons but Clemence now expects him to be available for selection against Walsall.

New signing Josh Andrews, a permanent addition from Birmingham City, will be another option now for Clemence although the big front-man hasn’t played since December 9 while on loan at Accrington Stanley.