Ryan Jackson missed the match at Scunthorpe as Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh wasn’t prepared to take a gamble.

With so many injuries already in the squad, Edinburgh didn’t want a slight groin strain getting any worse.

Jackson had been the key man in the midweek game against Swindon.

Edinburgh, speaking after their 5-0 loss to Scunthorpe, said: “What went on out there and the goals we conceded, he wouldn’t have been able to stop them.

“He has a tight groin and we couldn’t take the risk. We are low on numbers as it is and we just pulled him out to be on the safe side.”

Edinburgh said there was a possibility he could come back into contention on Tuesday at Watford.

New signing Jamie O’Hara was another Edinburgh didn’t want to risk.

The midfielder is not 100% fit and the manager didn’t want him picking up an injury while he gets up to speed.

“We need to get his body functioning for football,” added Edinburgh.

Midfielder Bradley Dack was back in the squad after a knee injury but remained on the bench at Scunthorpe with the game already beyond Gills in the second half.

Edinburgh said: “I didn’t see an upside of bringing Bradley on.

“Knowing Bradley’s character, he would have been frustrated. He wears his heart on his sleeve.”