Leon Legge was forced to sit out Saturday’s match as Peter Taylor favoured Callum Davies on the bench.

And the Gills boss said that 29-year-old Legge has to improve to win his place back.

Taylor had a straight decision to make between Legge and Davies, after revering to a back four, instead of a three-man central defence.

It meant there was one place less in the squad for a centre back and Legge was the one to miss out.

Davies can also play in midfield, which may have gone in his favour.

“He (Legge) was unlucky and in the end it was between him or Callum on the bench,” explained the Gills boss.

“I went for Callum. That’s the game we are in. I am not popular at half past 1 on a match day.

“Leon was disappointed, of course he was and I understand that. If he wasn’t disappointed I would be annoyed really.”

Legge had started every game up until Saturday’s match against Crewe.

And Taylor spelt out how he could get back in.

“He just has to take it on the chin, get on with it and play better for me to be able to put him in the team, simple as that,” said the Gills boss.

Taylor did also include youngster Devante McKain on the bench but, like Davies, he too can play in the defensive midfield role in required.

After the game, Legge tweeted: “With every setback in life it's God’s way of testing your faith only he knows what the future holds for me.”

He later added: “Think some people are reading too much into my last tweet.”