Gareth Ainsworth has confirmed that Seb Palmer-Houlden and Sam Gale will be available for selection ahead of the final game of the season against Shrewsbury Town at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
Both players missed the defeat at Barnet due to injury, but the Gills boss is glad to have them back in the squad. Ainsworth provided further team news, as he looks to end the season on a high after what has been a difficult campaign.
Saturday will be the final game of Sam Vokes' professional career, as he wraps up what has been an incredible journey in the game. Ainsworth spoke glowingly of the former Wales international, who has played at the highest level. The Gillingham manager also called upon the squad to ensure that Vokes ends his career with a victory.
The 52-year-old also discussed the impending changes ahead of the summer break, confirming that everybody knows where they stand heading into the off-season.
Finishing the season on a high...
We want to win this. I want to send the fans home who have followed us all season and have come here all season with some positivity. It has been a challenging one without a shadow of a doubt. People know that; everyone knows that. For one reason or another, what we have gone through has been really tough, and it hasn't been good enough.
It has been a poor season, but we can definitely sign off with a positive note. Hopefully, next season will be a lot more positive than this one.
Team selection for Saturday's game...
I want to play a team that will win the game. Whether there are players in there or out there who have had talks with me about staying or going, everyone will find out after the game, probably Sunday. Out of respect to everyone, we will keep all of that information behind closed doors and within the walls, because I have a lot of respect for the boys. Like I have always said, I have got their backs, and I am not about to change on the last week of the season.
Injury updates...
We probably have a couple still out, Shadrach [Ogie], his season has ended, but the likes of Seb Palmer-Houlden and Sam Gale will be back involved again, which will be great. We have got some bodies back. There are a couple that are touch-and-go with late fitness tests. Cameron's [Antwi] out until next season as well, and Euan Williams, unfortunately. They are all slowly coming back, but just not right for starting now.
On Sam Vokes' retirement...
For somebody to have achieved what he has achieved in the game is a rarity. You think about the millions of people that want to be footballers, and the small percentage that make it as footballers, then to go on and play in the Premier League and to score the goals that he did and to get the international recognition that he got. That percentage becomes tiny, tiny. Not many people do what Sam Vokes has done in his career. He is an absolute legend of the game.
To be in that esteemed company of people who have played at the top level and played for their countries, and not just that, but the person that he is. What an unbelievable guy. If anyone wants to play for anything on Saturday, then play for Sam Vokes and recognise the career that he has had.
The way that he has conducted himself since he came to this club is exemplary. It is a real credit to have coached him in his final years.
On the impending changes...
It is never a nice day when you speak to everyone, and you discuss everyone's contract situation and where they are and where they are going to be. The decision always lies with the manager, and I want to try and freshen up a little bit and make sure that there is a good impetus next year when we start the season.
Everyone knows what is happening next season, and upstairs we are trying our best with Richard Dobson helping out and heading up the recruitment side of things, as he knows what players I love and what players I like. There are changes early already.
We definitely have to be better than what we were this year.
