Aaron Morris has suffered a fresh injury blow as he battles back from a year out.

Morris suffered a tear in his troublesome knee during Gillingham’s pre-season trip to Northern Ireland.

The midfielder is on the comeback trail after missing all of last season with knee ligament damage but may now need another operation.

Gills will learn the extent of Morris’ latest injury on Wednesday.

Head coach Ady Pennock said: “He had his big operation and he’s been working all over the summer and they’ve found a little tear.

“He went to Ireland with us, he was doing a little bit of training, just straight-line running, and his knee kept swelling up.

“We found out he’s got a small tear in one of his cartilages so unfortunately he might have to have a little operation but we’ll know more on Wednesday about that one.

“Fingers crossed for him he’ll be back sooner rather than later.

“It’s the same knee but he’s been working unbelievably hard in the summer and it’s just a little setback.”

Pennock feels for Morris and was quick to put an arm round his shoulder after more injury woe.

He said: “I’ve been there and I know how he feels. It is very frustrating and it’s a mental thing.

“Obviously his leg is swelling up and this, that and the other but hopefully we can do something about that with the specialists we’ve got.

“You need to give him a little bit of love because it’s a hard, long road for him.”

Morris sits out Gills’ friendly at National League South Dartford on Tuesday but there’s set to be first appearances for new signings Conor Wilkinson and Connor Ogilvie.