Gillingham defender Conor Masterson went off injured against Walsall and was replaced by Sam Gale

Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth says Conor Masterson’s injury is less of a concern thanks to the form of young defender Sam Gale.

Masterson limped off with a calf problem in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Walsall, but Gale came off the bench and impressed — even making a crucial late challenge to deny the visitors an equaliser.

Report: Gillingham 1 Walsall 0

“I was worried for Conor,” Ainsworth admitted, after the Irish centre-half went off injured shortly after the Gills had taken the lead.

“He has got a calf issue, and that's not nice to see when no-one's around you and you go down like that.

“He said he felt something, so we'll have to have a look at that, and hopefully the prognosis won't be as bad as first thought.

“Galey coming on. Wow, that boy has got a real chance in this game.

“He's got some energy, he's got tenacity, and the will to win in that boy is incredible. Sometimes you need to rein it back but I had no worries. He's not dropping in any standard and (Andy) Smith went into the centre.”

“Somebody just said to me, ‘You look horrible to play against’. That’s the biggest compliment a manager could ever have." Manager Gareth Ainsworth’s reaction to the 1-0 win over #Walsall