Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler has praised Simon King as the defender nurses an ongoing injury whilst helping the side.

King has suffered with an ankle complaint for over two years, but has been imperious since returning to the backline for the first time this season against Port Vale.

The defender recently admitted he considered retiring, but to the relief of his manager, he is available for selection against Hereford on Tuesday night.

“He’s a lot fitter than I thought he would be at this stage because to play three games in a week was always going to be tough on him,” Hessenthaler told the club’s official website.

“But he’s up there. I still don’t think he’s 100 percent but he’s getting games under his belt. We have to manage him; I’ve said that all along.”

The game against Hereford would be King’s fourth in nine days and whilst Hessenthaler is anxious not to tire him out, he says he will leave it down to King to decide whether he can play.

“All we can do is ask him the question `Are you ready to go again?’ If he tells me he is, then how can I leave him out at the moment? The crowd love him. He’s come back into the team and been phenomenal.”

King is expected to be part of the same back four for the forth game in a row as Gillingham look to claw themselves back to within three points of the play-off positions.