Gillingham are close to having a fully-fit squad which could mean leaving some senior players behind at the weekend.

Defender Robbie McKenzie has been back training after injury, Scott Malone is expected to be available again and striker Oli Hawkins is progressing well.

With striker Lewis Walker the only player head coach Stephen Clemence ruled out for the weekend trip to Tranmere, when he spoke to the press on Thursday, there will be plenty for the management team to consider.

“It is definitely good to have those choices,” said the head coach.

“It is not easy to have some conversations sometimes with players when maybe they are not in the team, but from my positon as head coach I would much rather be having those conversations where I have decisions to make rather than being short of players.

“We are not far away now from having a fully fit squad, still one or two people need to be assessed before we travel (on Thursday) but we are definitely getting nearer to where I want to be, that is good news for the supporters and myself.

“Oli is getting assessed every day, he has been out for a period of time, you can rush people back too soon and then you can lose them again for the same period if you’re not careful so we have to take onboard what the medical department are saying to us and when we get him back he stays back.

“Scott has trained this week, we are expecting him to be available and that will be a big bonus for the squad. He had a bit of stiffness (last weekend). He seems to be okay, it will be a decision I have to make for Saturday’s game.

“(Robbie McKenzie) has had a good week’s training, he needs to be assessed, I haven’t made my final decision yet on who will be involved at the weekend but he has had a good week.

“Lewis Walker has had a small issue so I don’t expect him to be fit.

“We haven’t got a massive squad and if we are going to be successful this year I am sure everyone is going to be needed, everyone has to be ready to go.

“If there is anyone left behind here at the weekend that was fit to travel but doesn’t make it, it is unfortunate but there is another game coming up and they have to be ready to go on Tuesday (at home to AFC Wimbledon) should they be needed.”