With Gillingham’s form indifferent at best, injuries are starting to cause boss Andy Hessenthaler a problem.

Going into Saturday’s game with Port Vale at Priestfield, Hessenthaler could well be without the services of eight key personnel for the game.

Andy Frampton (calf), Danny Jackman (knee) and Matt Fish (hip) all picked up knocks in Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to Barnet in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

All three are rated as doubtful for this weekend’s game and could well join Barry Fuller, Joe Martin, Danny Spiller, Jack Payne and Adam Birchall on the sidelines.

Payne is nearing a return after missing the past month, but the news isn’t so good for Spiller who will require surgery on his ankle injury that he picked up at Southend almost a month ago.

Charlie Lee will return to the side after being suspended for Tuesday night’s game, but fellow midfielder Lewis Montrose serves his one match ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.

With so many injured, Hessenthaler is considering recalling Simon King from his loan spell at Plymouth Argyle, although he could well go with the inexperienced Callum Davies or hand former Charlton Athletic defender Joe Carter his debut.

Whatever Hessenthaler decides to do, he will need to get the side back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats.