Josh Andrews could get a match for Gillingham’s B Team this week as the former Birmingham City forward closes in on his first-team debut

Gillingham striker Josh Andrews is closing in on a first appearance for the club.

The 22-year-old arrived at the Gills from Birmingham City on February 1 - the final day of the transfer window - but was carrying an injury which he picked up playing on loan for Accrington Stanley at the end of December. Fans have had to wait patiently for the chance to see the 6ft 5in striker in action.

Andrews looks to have got over the hip injury now, and the club’s management hope to see him in action this week, with a B Team outing on Tuesday.

If he gets through that midweek test unscathed there could be a place for him in the matchday squad in the weekend game against Wrexham at Priestfield.

It would be a timely boost for the Gills after the setback of seeing another of their recent recruits, loan signing Jorge Hurtado, suffer an injury in last week’s game against Swindon Town. The length of his absence isn’t yet known.

“Josh Andrew won’t be too far away,” said the Gills head coach Stephen Clemence.

“I am hoping that he will play 45 minutes in a B Team game on Tuesday and I am sure people will see him nearer to the squad at the weekend.”

Midfielder George Lapslie, meanwhile, suffered a calf strain in the weekend match against Newport and will be a doubt for this Tuesday’s home fixture against Stockport County.

One player who was surprisingly fit for the weekend was defender Shad Ogie.

A goal-saving challenge last week against Swindon looked a painful one. He could barely walk after an injury to the groin area but he managed to make himself available for the weekend.

Clemence said: “He had a bit of a scare with the whack he got and he has done fantastic to play in the game.

“He did manage to train on Thursday and Friday, so we knew he