The injured forwards for Gillingham are progressing well in their efforts to recover.
Due to a persistent heel problem, Oli Hawkins hasn’t kicked a ball this season, and Ashley Nadesan has missed a month due to an ankle injury.
Although a return date has not been announced, Hawkins and Nadesan will soon resume their grass-based training.
Head coach Stephen Clemence said, “They are doing very well,” and he also announced Robbie McKenzie is back on the field.
“I speak to the physios every day; we have a meeting every morning; they keep me updated on their progress; they are all out on the grass, so out running again now.
“I don’t expect them to be too far away, they will be big plusses when we can get them back, it will be good to have some more forward players available.”
Hawkins last played in pre-season at Como. He looked to be closing in on a return in mid-September, when he appeared on the bench against Morecambe, but continued to experience pain in his heel.
“He is definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” Clemence said.
“I know he has had a few problems,, but he has made big strides in the last week or two; it is very positive.
“I have had a couple of conversations with him; he can’t wait to get back playing.
“When you have an injury that sometimes doesn’t settle down as quickly as you want, it is very frustrating as a player. I have been there many times myself.
“It is important for myself and the coaches and staff to get around those people and make sure they are okay, because mentally, it is a difficult place to be.
“You are brought up to be a footballer,, and when you can’t play, when you get that taken away from you, whether it is a month or six, it is not very nice.
“We have to try and get them involved; all of our injured players are in our team meetings; they are seeing what we are trying to implement,, and when they are available,, they will know what we are doing.
“They are on the grass with the physios, so they are doing their rehab but not in the gym anymore; they are progressing.”
Gillingham are at Wrexham this Saturday,,, and the head coach added: “We have one or two things going on inside the squad,,, which I won’t go into detail on; I am hoping to have pretty much everyone available, apart from those three players.”
Clemence, meanwhile, was asked about out-of-contract striker Lyle Taylor, who had been training with the Gills before he was appointed.
“I haven’t seen him; he hasn’t been here,” he stated. I’ve seen the reports, but there’s no update at this time. I’m focusing on the four strikers that are now with the team.
After serving a loan at Maidstone, young striker Joe Gbode is back, although he hasn’t decided where to go yet.
Joe has barely been exercising for a day or two; therefore, he wasn’t available for the game on Tuesday, according to Clemence. I’ll have to discuss it with Kenny, the director of football at the football program.
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