Hess Starts Striker Hunt

Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler is hoping to sign a striker that would 'complete the squad' this month.

Adebayo Akinfenwa was forced to sit out Saturday's 5-1 win at Stockport with a groin injury, leaving just Cody McDonald and virtually untried teenager Stefan Payne at the manager's disposal.

He has seen his injury list ease considerably in recent weeks and feels that it is just up front that he needs to strengthen this month.

He told KentOnline: 'If you look at our squad at the moment then the forward area is perhaps somewhere where we can look at.

'We have young Stefan Payne but is he ready for regular football yet? Maybe not. He is a young boy, only 18.

'Dennis Oli is out at the moment and when we have a problem with Bayo (Akinfenwa), like we did on Saturday, or Cody (McDonald) then we haven`t really got a lot of cover in that area.

'So if we are looking anywhere that would be an area where we could perhaps get another body in to complete the squad.'

Meanwhile, the Gills' reserve clash with Crawley has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

As it is the only second-string game this month - the other with Brighton was called off due to the rearranged game with Chesterfield - it means the likes of Mark Bentley, Garry Richards and Simon King will have to wait for more time to build up their match fitness.

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