Gillingham could hand a debut to veteran centre-half Zesh Rehman for the visit of in-form Southend United on Saturday.

The 33-year-old former Fulham, QPR and Bradford City defender has signed until the end of the season after a spell playing abroad, but will need his international clearance to come through to feature.

Midfielder Ollie Muldoon has also come in following his release from Charlton Athletic and was on the bench for the midweek draw against AFC Wimbledon, but defender Bradley Garmston is out with a hamstring problem, whilst Adedeji Oshilaja is rated as doubtful.

Defender Aaron Morris (knee) remains a long-term absentee while on-loan forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has returned to parent club QPR.

Southend will have midfielder Will Atkinson available again following a three-match ban.

Defender Anton Ferdinand missed the midweek 4-1 win at Peterborough with a calf problem so will be assessed, with on-loan Crystal Palace defender Ryan Inniss ready to deputise again.

Striker David Mooney has stepped up his recovery from four months out with an ankle problem but is still a couple of weeks away from being in contention.

Winger Stephen McLaughlin (ankle) and goalkeeper Mark Oxley (fractured elbow) remain sidelined.