Gillingham consider replacement for Wigan loan winger Jonny Smith after the player picked up another injury last weekend

Gillingham are considering a replacement for Jonny Smith as they continue to assess the winger’s injury.

Smith is on loan from Wigan, but has been beset by injury problems since joining the Gills at the start of the season. He limped off after just 18 minutes of last Saturday’s game at Harrogate after pulling up with another problem.

Ainsworth has already ruled Smith out of this Saturday’s game against league leaders Bromley and admits they’re still unsure as to how long he’ll be missing for.

Speaking ahead of the Bromley game, Ainsworth said: “He took a real nasty twist on his lower leg and ankle area. He's not going to be fit for the weekend.

“We don't know yet [the length of absence]. We're going to have to assess that one.

“I feel for him because he's had a real stop-start loan here and he's a good player. We're wishing, hopefully, for a quick recovery from that.”

The transfer window is open until Monday night and the Gills will have options if they need to bring in another player, possibly on loan.

Smith is contracted with the Gills until the end of the season and still has time to make an impact, if the injury isn’t too severe.

“There's a chance that we could have to replace Jonny,” admitted the Gills boss.

“We'll see how it is. I just feel for the boy, I really do, because he's been through a lot this season.

“We think he was probably a little bit undercooked [when he arrived] because he hadn't played as many games and done a proper pre-season. He then got injured, a muscle one, and that's probably because he’s trying to come into this intensity. Then he picks another one up. He seemed to find some form and then picks another one up.

“It's tough because I think his win ratio is quite good for me. He tends to play