Gills hoping that rest will work for star man Dack
Gillingham
Bradley Dack is in line to make a return to the Gillingham squad for the trip to Port Vale.
He was rested last weekend for the 1-1 home draw against Bradford and sat out training in a bid to recover from bruising to his knee.
But if he comes through training today (Friday) without any setbacks, he could be back involved.
Speaking in the week, boss Justin Edinburgh said: “It’s the best he’s felt (since the injury). As long as there are no problems in training, then he is good to go.”
However, fellow midfielder Jamie O’Hara is still struggling to get going. Fitness issues held him back Gills manager Justin Edinburgh insists his players won’t be taking their eye off the ball this weekend.
Gillingham have a big EFL Cup match at Premier League Tottenham Hotspur to look forward to on Wednesday night but must first tackle a trip to Port Vale in League 1 tomorrow (Saturday).
The Valiants have won all three of their home games in the league and Edinburgh knows his players must be fully focused on the job in hand – and he’s sure they will be.
He said: “We have been involved long enough to know that if you start taking in the opening month of the season and now there are concerns over a foot injury he picked up in training at the end of last week.
Medical staff are assessing the situation. Edinburgh said: “We are just going to see how that settles down. It has been frustrating for him.
“We know the quality he has shown in the minutes he has had but we just have to grin and bear it.”
Bradley Garmston is still a few weeks away from a return but came your mind off the game in hand, then you are going to come unstuck.
“There will be no wavering from our concentration and preparation for Port Vale.
“Once that is done, Tottenham is next but we will have plenty of time between 5.30pm Saturday to Wednesday to talk and prepare for Tottenham.
“There is no distraction. The most important game right now is Port Vale.”
Places in the team for the third round match at White Hart Lane could be under threat with a poor showing back from a week of intensive work at St George’s Park in good shape.
Edinburgh said: “He got on well. He progressed. The initial injury was 10-12 weeks and we are eight weeks now. Best case he could be back in another couple of weeks and worst case a month. It was a dislocated knee cap and it was a tough injury.
“He is getting closer all the time and the week was good for him. He is striving hard now and doing well.”
Bournemouth loan defender Baily Cargill is due to train with the club for the first time next week. at Port Vale and Edinburgh warned: “If you don’t keep an eye on what you’re doing, then you might lose your place.
“There won’t be any distractions from my point of view and definitely won’t be from the players because then I will see that and it would jeopardise someone’s place.”
Edinburgh’s side go into the weekend well in touch with the leading sides and boasting an impressive away record – barring the 5- 0 loss at Scunthorpe.
Edinburgh said: “We have certainly played well on the road and picked up some excellent wins. We’re up against a different kind of Port Vale, with a new manager, who has had a good start.
“We are expecting another tough game but we have done well ourselves of late. We will be confident and look to continue our away form.
“We are pleased with the start we have made. There is room for improvement. We feel we could have done better.
“We were seconds away from getting a draw against Sheffield United and would have been a point better off. We are only goal difference off fourth position.”