Gillingham defender Garry Richards will miss the rest of the season after being stretchered off with a suspected broken leg on Tuesday night.

The 25 year old lasted just fourteen minutes of the 3-1 win over Barnet before the incident with Bees striker Izale McLeod.

Speaking after the game, Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler confirmed the news fans were dreading after seeing the incident:

He told the club’s website: “It’s a suspected broken leg. We’re not sure yet, it’s hard to tell. Hopefully it’s not.

“I want to see the DVD – I don’t know if we’ll be able to see it but Garry thinks the lad’s done him on purpose, and if he’s done him on purpose then it’s scandalous, especially if he’s broken his leg.

“I spoke to [Izale] McLeod at half-time because I wasn’t happy. I needed to find out from him – he said it’s accidental. Garry’s an honest man and he doesn’t tell lies. I believe in my players and if he has, then it’s not right.

“It’s sour because he’s off to hospital and it’s overshadowed a really good performance with a real young patched-up team that have showed unbelievable commitment and endeavour to playing for Gillingham Football Club tonight to win four games on the bounce.

Richards confirmed the bad news on his twitter account on Wednesday morning:

“Thanks so much for all the well wishes and messages of support, much appreciated! And to say that i’m devastated is an understatement.”

“I have a spiral fracture of the fibula, which is a double fracture of the bone so I’ve been told. Am off to the specialist this afternoon.”

Meanwhile, Hessenthaler was full of praise for his side after they made it four wins on the trot and especially for striker Dennis Oli who scored despite being available for loan:

“We had players running on empty at the end there, yet Danny Jackman and Charlie Lee still produced a goal of top class, we’ve got a player who came on at half-time who I’ve told has got no future at the football club and showed everyone that he’s a true pro and a great lad. He still believes in himself and my hat goes off to Dennis Oli.

“He’s had his critics, but we’ve got a really good relationship. I’ve been honest with him, he’s been honest with me and he could have easily gone out there and not tried a leg because he’s been told he’s got no future here.

“He’s a top lad and he’s just shown everybody that Dennis Oli is alive and kicking and still a good player.”