Injured Gillingham midfielder Mark Byrne is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.

Byrne went under the knife before Christmas after suffering a knee injury in Gills’ game against Sunderland on December 10.

He had suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee.

The Irishman has been ruled out for the rest of the season and that’s still likely but he had good news when seeing the specialist this week.

Byrne tweeted an update, writing: “Six week appointment done. Specialist was really happy. Said I am ahead of schedule and the knee looks great.

“Be another six weeks until I see him again. Time to start building this quad muscle back up again and out of the brace.”

Byrne is Gills’ only long-term absentee.

Tom O’Connor, on loan from Southampton, is expected back from a hamstring strain next week. He has missed Gills’ last two games.

Stuart O’Keefe, meanwhile, was withdrawn on Wednesday after picking up a knock.

Gillingham’s players were given several days off, with no game at the weekend. They are due back in on Monday to start preparing for the weekend trip to Burton Albion.