Young striker Gerald Sithole is nearing a return to fitness after picking up an injury that had left him little time to impress the boss.

Sithole got injured shortly after Neil Harris took over as Gills manager and is only now back on the training pitch and working his way up to full fitness. The boss will be looking forward to seeing what the 19-year-old can show him in the next few weeks.

• Captain nearing a return from injury

With contract decisions to be made, Sithole will be one of those out to impress.

He made his first team debut a year ago and made a couple of league starts under former boss Steve Evans this season, along with several appearance off the bench.

Harris named him in his first two squads before an untimely injury left him sidelined.

Gillingham aren’t awash with forward options and the goals haven’t flowed this season so Sithole could be in with a chance of some action at some point, although he may still have to be patient.

Another youngster Harvey Lintott is also on the mend after an injury.

Harris said: “It is difficult for the young players because when you are recovering from injuries you can’t rush because you are dictated by the injury. Harvey is in a similar position to Gerald, I need to see more of them.”

If those players, and other youngsters looking to make an impression, don’t get first team action then Harris is likely to organise behind closed doors matches to see what they can do.