Gillingham defender Simon King’s loan spell is in doubt after he sustained an ankle injury.

The 28-year-old had been ruled out of Argyle’s last two games because of the problem by Plymouth boss Carl Fletcher, however Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler insists the defender has returned to Priestfield for treatment, but could still feature for Argyle.

The second month of his loan spell is set to end after the visit of Morecambe to Home Park on November 5.

King has made six starts for Argyle after signing from Gillingham at the end of August, playing all of those matches at centre-back.

He was loaned out by Gillingham after being sidelined by a long-term ankle injury for much of the last two seasons. King’s latest problem is unrelated to that, however.

Plymouth boss Carl Fletcher told Herald Sport: “Simon King has gone back to Gillingham. It’s disappointing for us and for him.

“He put in some good performances for us but, unfortunately, that’s the way football goes with injuries.”

Fletcher added: “He wasn’t going to be ready by the time the final game of his loan came around, so it makes sense for him to be back at home rather than living away.”

That news seems less certain now though with Hessenthaler stating after the defeat to Swindon that King could still return to Home Park.