Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris is recovering well from injury, says manager Gareth Ainsworth, and will challenge Jake Turner for the no.1 spot on his return

The battle for the no.1 goalkeeping spot could resume soon after manager Gareth Ainsworth hinted at a quicker-than-expected return for Glenn Morris.

This season’s first-choice starter Morris went off injured in the opening moments of the recent league game against Salford City, and there were fears it could have been a long-term issue.

Jake Turner came off the bench against Salford, in what was a 2-1 defeat, and then played in a 2-2 FA Cup draw at Newport before excelling in a 1-0 victory at Bristol Rovers last weekend.

Ainsworth is hopeful that Morris can be back available soon to give Turner some competition.

“Glenn's not feeling as bad as he was,” the Gills boss revealed.

“I think everyone [feared] the worst when he went off, but I spoke to him [on Tuesday] and he said he's feeling a lot better, so I don't think it's going to be long before he's back, but that's football.

“I always said to Jake Turner that he's going to get his chance, and when he makes saves like he did in the last minute against Bristol Rovers, he didn't have a great deal to do in the game; there were a few that flashed across the post, but I think he was covering them. He made one great save in the first half, one great save in the second half.

“He's a very good keeper. In training, he pulls off some unbelievable reaction saves.

“It's bittersweet for me. I want to see that in the first team, but I also don't want to see it too often because it means we're leaking shots, but when he was called upon he was he was super on Saturday, and very assured. I think it'll be a nice battle for him and Cat (Morris) all season.”

Young pro Taite Holtam has stepped up as back-up keeper in the last few weeks and he made his first appearance of the season on Tuesday