Gillingham will be without the services of forward Danny Lloyd for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

The livewire utility midfielder / striker sustained cruciate and medial ligament damage of his left knee at Ipswich Town on Saturday that saw Lloyd stretchered off.

Having had time to assess the injury, Gillingham have revealed that he could be out for anywhere up to nine months, ruling him out of the remainder of this League One campaign.

Lloyd joins both Dan Adshead and Alex MacDonald on the long term injured list, whilst Mustapha Carayol missed the last two games, but could be back for the game against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 19th February at Priestfield along with midfielder Ben Reeves.

Having had it comfirmed that Lloyd was out for the season, Gillingham manager Neil Harris admitted it was a blow: “It’s really bad news on Danny Lloyd, he’s damaged his cruciate and medial ligament. It’s going to be a nine month job which is a real shame. He was like a talisman for us with his energy and his pressing and his quality as well.”

“It is a real shame. He has enjoyed his football and was outstanding in my first game with the winning goal and at Ipswich he was unplayable for 65 minutes. It is a big loss.”

“We will give Danny the love that he needs and help him with the rehab and concentrate on ways to win games. He has been loved by me in a short space of time, loved by the fans and the staff and players. He would have been important but we can’t dwell on it.”

Meanwhile on Twitter, Lloyd added: “Unfortunately that’s my season done, time to focus on my injury I’ll be back fitter and stronger for next season. I’ll do my utmost day in day out to make it happen.”

With Lloyd out of contract in the summer, Gillingham will have a decision to make on whether they will take a gamble on a player they might not see until October or November.

Finally, Harris confirmed after the 1-0 win against Cambridge United that striker Gerald Sithole had sustained a hamstring that allowed youngster Josh Chambers to take his place on the bench on Tuesday night.

With the injury crisis that plagued the club before Christmas, Harris will be hoping that’s the last of the injuries for this season.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.