Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth rules out transfer deadline day departures for Jonny Williams and Nelson Khumbeni after duo miss 1-0 win at Oldham Athletic

Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth shut down rumours of possible departures after two players were missing from his squad on Saturday.

Midfielders Jonny Williams and Nelson Khumbeni were ruled out through injury at Oldham on Saturday which meant a league debut for 17-year-old Cruz Beaszant from the bench.

With the transfer window closing on Monday, Ainsworth was quick to dismiss any suggestion the duo might be heading towards the exit.

"Jonny and Nelson both picked up a knock in midweek," said Ainsworth. "There's no rumours in the transfer window coming up that Johnny's getting a move anyway. He's very happy and Nelson likewise.

"They both want to be part of this. They both could have made the trip today.

"We want to keep them all fit. So Cruz was our only fit midfielder on that bench.

"I thought I don't want to lose Dacky because Dacky's so important to us as well so that was (Cruz's) moment and he took it well.

"There's plenty to learn and I'm sure his head will be spinning about what happened, but he'll always remember that celebration in front of the Gillingham fans away at Oldham when we won 1-0.

"He's a really good lad, plays off both feet, very accomplished, but it's a different level when you come into the first team."