Gillingham winger Chris Whelpdale is hoping to make a quick return to first-team action after suffering a split scrotum.

Whelpdale suffered the injury after being caught, quite literally, in a tackle with Crawley Town’s David Hunt during the Gills’ fine 2-1 win over the League Two leaders on Boxing Day.

But on Wednesday the player, who needed five stitches to his scrotum, declared he was eager to get back down to some ball work.

He is the second player to suffer an injury to that area this month after Blackburn Rovers defender Scott Dann needed surgery on a ruptured testicle.

Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler explained after the game: “The tackle on Chris Whelpdale, he’s probably going to have to have five stitches in his testicles believe it or not, it’s ripped his testicles open. It’s absolutely disgusting, it was a shocking challenge for me and worthy of a red card.

“I’m not making that up, we’ve seen it in there. It’s an horrific injury and it’ll be pretty sure and I’m sure his wife won’t be too happy about that tonight either!”

Whelpdale told the club’s website on Wednesday: “I’m hoping to be fit. I’ve just been out and bought a jockstrap, so I’ll pad it all up and I should be okay to play. I had a bit of a shock when I saw it but when it initially happened I thought it was just a normal whack in the area, but then three or four minutes later it was hurting.

“I did have a look and that was when I was a bit shocked.

“I think she [Whelpdale’s wife] felt a bit sorry for me, but she did have a bit of a giggle as well. There’s been a lot of banter from the lads as well, but they’ve all been cool.”