Richard Dobson provided an update on the availability of Aaron Rowe and Armani Little ahead of Saturday's league fixture against Salford City.
Salford head to the MEMS Priestfield Stadium off the back of a 1-0 win against Oldham Athletic in their previous game, and Dobson is expecting a tough afternoon.
The Gills assistant manager commended the adaptability of the playing squad and provided an update on manager Gareth Ainsworth.
On Salford…
They’re a good side. They had a game against Oldham last weekend, which was a 1-0 win for Salford, but it could have been 6-3. They created a lot of chances, and they flood bodies forward. They have got good individual players and good dribblers at the top end of the pitch. We know that it’s going to be a tough game, as they all are, but this team have got some really good individuals in key areas. We are going to have to be at our best to deal with them.
They are a team that plays to win. They are a nice side to watch. I have enjoyed watching their games. When you try to look at it from a neutral perspective, I like what they do.
There are a couple of players there that I know well. Kadeem Harris, I signed at 14, and we gave him his debut at Wycombe at 16. He was a real talent for us as a young player, so I am looking forward to seeing him.
Adaptability of the team…
They’ve been a tactically adaptable group since we walked in. That is one of the major positives that we found when we came in here. We have changed formations and we have changed tactics based on who we are playing against and where we think their weaknesses will be. We’ve been able to do that with this group because they have picked it up really quickly. There are some bright minds in there.
Team news…
Aaron Rowe might be back with us at the weekend. We will see what part he can play, but the others will be a little while.
[Whether Armani Little is ready to start] - That’s a hope. We have got to decide which way we do that with him. He’s trained and had a full week’s training under his belt. He’s a proper pro, so when he comes back into the fold, he gets himself back up to speed pretty quickly. It’s good to have him about. You hear his noise on the training ground. He’s barking instructions and supporting the other players, so he’s a good character to have around in the squad and around the dressing room on match days.
Update on Gareth Ainsworth…
We’ve spoken a lot this week. He’s okay. The magnitude of what he has been through is hitting home, and he has good days and bad days. He’s desperate to be back in and around us, but it’s sensible that he isn’t and that he fulfils his obligation to recovery and what the doctors have told him. He will be back when he can, but no one is going to rush him. No one will expect that.
We’re fine as we are. The place is running like clockwork, as you’d expect. The staff have been really good. I think that for Gareth’s health, the best thing is that he does as he’s told and listens to the doctors' advice.
