Gillingham midfielder Robbie McKenzie was back from injury on Saturday at Salford City and could get minutes against Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night

Midfielder Robbie McKenzie has recovered from injury but the Gillingham manager has made him wait for his return to action.

McKenzie has been out for a month, picking up an injury shortly after hitting a winner against Barrow at the end of February and playing in the 1-1 draw against Fleetwood Town at Priestfield.

His injury absence coincided with a subsequent five-game losing streak, but manager Gareth Ainsworth hasn’t felt the need to rush the 27-year-old back.

He said: “Robie McKenzie being back on the bench was a massive positive [on Saturday].

“He's a special player at this football club as well.

“It's no coincidence that our downturn in form coincided with Robbie being out as well.

“[He’s] a quality player to have back and I’m glad we didn't have to risk him [at Salford] but he could play some part on Tuesday [at Cheltenham], absolutely.”

McKenzie is nearing the end of his fifth season with the Gills, having originally signed for the club in 2020, joining under Steve Evans’ tenure after his release from Hull City. In 2025, he signed a new deal which runs until next summer.

With the Gills playing out their final few games of the League 2 season with nothing on the line, Ainsworth won’t want the midfielder’s injury to recur ahead of the summer.

The manager said: “He'll want to play before the end of the season and get some minutes under his belt, because I know what it's like when you've been out for an injury.

“Robbie is not a player who will have to be 100 per cent. He'll say, ‘Yes, I'm ready to go’, even if he's 90, 80 per cent.

“Keeping Robbie out of the squad was hard and saying to him, ‘Look, we need to get you right’. We don't want to risk anything.

“He's recovered well. I'm probably thankful I didn't have to