Gillingham’s injuries are clearing up and new signings have given manager Steve Evans plenty of options ahead of his trip to Shrewsbury.

Southampton player Tom O’Connor and Coventry City’s Declan Drysdale have both joined on loan this week to bolster the ranks. Both players can feature in a number of positions.

In a small squad, that’s key for Evans, who said: “Tommy was outstanding for us last season. He gives us a really good balance and the two signings have really embellished what we are about, which is young hungry players with a real variability of where they can play.”

Newcomer Drysdale is tagged as a centre-half but Evans believes he could also be useful in the defensive midfield position. He was played there on Tuesday in a friendly match against Peterborough United and the Gills boss was pleased with what he saw.

He said: “Peterborough were very strong and he was the best player on the pitch second half.

“He can do that role well but he is also an exciting and dominant centre back as well.

“Mark Robins (the Coventry manager) and I have chatted long and hard about where he could play, so it is great that he is a big commanding centre half and he can also have a presence and get his foot on the ball and play."

Drysdale could come into the side to replace Scott Robertson. Evans may decide to leave the 19-year-old Celtic loanee out after the player was hit by fatigue last week. Five games in a short space of time has been tough on the recent recruit.

“The decision whether he is involved will be down to me,” Evans said.

“He’s gone from playing seven or eight 90 minutes in a year to then doing the same in five weeks.”

Defender Christian Maghoma is available again after a negative test for Covid-19 .

Midfielders Kyle Dempsey (ankle) and Matty Willock (hamstring) are both making quick recoveries. This Saturday will come too soon but they may be back challenging for next week’s home game against Oxford United.

The Gills will depart for Shrewsbury on Friday and will be aiming for a third successive League 1 win when they play the following day.

Looking ahead to the match, Evans said: “First and foremost they have a good manager (Sam Ricketts). When the boys were off on Wednesday I had a look at their game when they played Plymouth. It shouldn’t have been a draw. (Last weekend’s match finished one apiece).

“Shrewsbury were far the better side, started the game well, finished it well and were largely dominant. They have got good players and a manager who in my opinion has always recruited well.

“He has two of my old boys there who may play upfront, Jason Cummings and he has just signed Clarkey (following his release from Sheffield United in the summer). He is a player who has graced the highest level. We know before we get on the coach how tough Saturday will be.”

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