Gillingham midfielder Alex MacDonald wants more starts after a number of positive substitute appearances for the League 2 side

Midfielder Alex MacDonald is determined to have a bigger input at Gillingham this season but won’t be making life any more difficult for the manager.

The 32-year-old overcame a career-threatening injury to play a part this season but the majority of his 28 appearances have come off the bench. Grateful as he is to be playing again, he wants to be starting matches.

He said: "From a personal level to be able to play football again is great, there was a lot of times last year that I didn’t think I was going to be able to, but touch wood that is behind me, I am just hopeful I can influence the team and push up the table.

“I don’t think I am missing games or being on the bench because my body is not able to do it, I think that is down to the choice of the manager. I am fit and raring to go.

“The only thing missing is to play as many games as I can and get on from the start but that’s not been the case at the moment. I understand the predicament we are in at the football club and I am not here to make it harder for the manager or try and bang on his door. At the moment he sees me best coming off the bench and if that is what is going to best help the team in his mind then I fully back him.

“If you are not starting games the best thing for you to do is try and influence games when you do get your chances and opportunities on the pitch. I am not here to try and sulk or make it harder for the manager, I am here to help the team as best I can, if that is coming off the bench at this moment in time then so be it.”

MacDonald is in his third season with the Gills, making 45 appearances during his first. The 2021/22 campaign was cut short with a knee injury, in October 2021. It was a long way back, not easy for a player who was working