Gillingham signed full-back Sam Tabares after his exit from Southampton but he hasn’t featured yet because of injury – Manager Gareth Ainsworth explains why

Gillingham are continuing to manage an injury that has restricted Sam Tabares’ start to life at Priestfield.

The 20-year-old joined the Gills in the summer after leaving Southampton, where he had spent the previous two seasons.

But Tabares is still waiting for his Football League debut and has made just one appearance for Gillingham – going off after only 18 minutes of their pre-season game at Ebbsfleet.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth says the youngster has “so much potential” but admits the club have to find the right balance with a player whose athletic qualities can also leave him susceptible to hamstring problems.

“He’s a finely-tuned athlete and looking at him sometimes too finely-tuned, you know, really, really quick, athletic, unbelievable physical shape,” said Ainsworth.

“But I think like your Olympic sprinter athletes, just susceptible to a hamstring now and again.

“We've got to find the balance of professional football, and the robustness of that, and being the athlete that he is, and we will.”

Ainsworth confirmed: “Sam's got a couple more weeks out yet.”

The youngster’s absence has also had an impact on how Ainsworth uses the rest of his squad.

Tabares’ eventual return could allow Nick Freeman to move into other areas of the team after the midfielder has been filling in at right wing-back, albeit successfully.

Ainsworth said: “[Sam’s] another great kid and with so much potential.

“I can't wait until he gets firing because it will free Nick Freeman up for other areas as well, which is massive for me.

“But at the moment, Nick's doing great at wing-back, so we'll take it as it comes and hopefully we'll get the results.”