Gillingham have a host of injury and suspension concerns ahead of Friday’s trip to Dagenham & Redbridge looking to make it ten games unbeaten.

Midfielder Chris Whelpdale is hopeful of being fit for selection despite requiring five stitches to a split scrotum suffered during a nasty tackle in the closing stages of Boxing Day’s 2-1 victory at leaders Crawley.

Defender Matt Fish was also forced off just before half-time in the encounter nursing an ankle ligament injury and is set to miss out.

Skipper Andy Frampton and midfielder Lewis Montrose (both ankle) sat out of the game altogether and are both rated as 50/50 to return.

And manager Andy Hessenthaler’s worries do not end there after substitute Luke Rooney was dismissed late on against Crawley and now starts a two-match suspension, joining right-back Charlie Lee on the sidelines as he completes a two-match ban of his own.

In-form striker Jo Kuffour, who bagged both goals on Monday, is set to play the final game of his loan spell from Bristol Rovers although Gills are hoping to tying up a permanent deal for his services possibly as early as next week.

So Hessenthaler has to juggle the pack once again to come up with a side that heads to Essex with the starting line up looking something like this:

Flitney, Lawrence, Richards, Frampton, Martin, Whelpdale, J Payne, Weston, Jackman, Kuffour, Kedwell.

Subs: Gazzaniga, King, Montrose, Oli, S Payne.

Peter Gain will be missing for The Daggers due to a suspected medial knee ligament strain.

The midfielder was forced off after just 38 minutes of the 3-0 Boxing Day triumph over Barnet, with the Daggers waiting for the results of a scan before the full extent of the injury is confirmed.

Billy Bingham replaced Gain on Monday and is expected to do so from the off against The Gills.

Fellow midfielder Abu Ogogo serves the second game of his three-match ban, with Dominic Green hoping to keep his place in John Still’s XI having been drafted in as replacement versus Barnet.

Fit-again skipper Mark Arber comes back in contention after his double hernia operation although Still is unlikely to make many changes to a winning formula on the back of a three-match unbeaten run.

Damien McCrory and Jake Reed (both ankle) are back in training but need a reserve outing before being considered for selection, while Luke Howell and Sam Williams (knee) continue to make progress with their long-term injuries.