Defender Simon King could be in line for his first appearance of the season for The Gills this weekend.

The 28 year old could be handed an opportunity to stake his claim for a permanent place in the side with skipper Andy Frampton missing Saturday’s game at Aldershot after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the 3-3 draw at Bournemouth.

King has recently returned from a loan spell at Plymouth Argyle where he featured in six games, improving his fitness levels after a career threatening ankle injury forced him down the pecking order at Priestfield.

Now back with The Gills, King was on the bench at the weekend and will be hoping to force his way into the starting eleven this week, however Garry Richards could well be fit again after sustaining a hamstring injury.

King has played just the four games for The Gills in the past two and a bit seasons after picking up the knee injury in a pre-season friendly at Bromley in the summer of 2009.

The former Barnet and Oxford United defender has become a fan’s favourite at Priestfield since signing in June 2007 for £200,000 and will be out of contract in the summer.

This will be a defining season for King then and he will be desperate to get on the pitch to prove to Andy Hessenthaler that he is worthy of another deal, hopefully starting this weekend.