Pre-season highs and lows

Seven games into the pre-season and the injury problems are starting to mount up for Andy Hessenthaler.
Barry Fuller limped off on Saturday with a bang to the knee and at first sight it didn’t look too bad.
Apparently it’s ligament damage though and that means he could be missing for several weeks.
So who does Hessenthaler play at right-back? New signing Tony Sinclair looks like being first choice at the moment.
It’s been a rocky road back to Gills for Sinclair, having been at the club on YTS terms.
He obviously went off the rails for a while, having dropped out of football completely and taking up jobs in places like McDonald’s, but speaking to him on Saturday he certainly seems to have the hunger back and is focused on making up for lost time.
The South Londoner seems a real likeable lad and I’m sure he’ll be giving his all to prove that he can handle this level.
Sinclair was facing the questions from the press after the game at Ebbsfleet but I’m not sure Luke Rooney was too happy at having to wait around to give his team-mate a lift home. I think Rooney was hoping we would all be interviewing him about his hat-trick the night before in the 4-1 win at Bishop’s Stortford.
While Sinclair was back at the Gills there was also a welcome return to the club for Danny Spiller.
He’s had an injury-plagued time over the last few years at Millwall, not helped by a miss-diagnoses, and a five-month deal will give him, and just as importantly his body, the chance to prove their worth. Spills certainly looks like he has the appetite.
One of the biggest pluses of the pre-season for me, so far, has been the quality of Stefan Payne. Hess himself admitted the signing was a no-risk gamble but Payne doesn’t look like here’s here to sit on the bench all season. He’s making things happen up-front and knows how to finish.
It’s just a shame we haven’t seen much of Cody McDonald yet. Only those in Calais saw him for a brief spell, albeit most people in the ground probably saw it through beer-goggles. The drinks were certainly flowing in the stand that day! Hopefully he should be back for a run-out this week.
The Gills have their official photo-call on Thursday morning and that should herald the arrival of the new kit. Let’s hope it arrives in time!
I know fans are keen to get their hands on it and the chairman says it’s due to arrive in the mega-store “very soon”.
Gillingham’s latest arrival is due to be announced today (Monday) with keeper Lance Cronin agreeing a deal at the club. He’s a keeper who deserves a shot in the league after several impressive seasons at Ebbsfleet.
More good news is that there is still room in the budget for a big striker. Hess has challenged Mark McCammon to do the business, and save the club some cash, but I’m sure the fans wouldn’t mind seeing another new face arrive before the season starts.
Whether that’s Aldershot’s Marvin Morgan or not remains in the balance. The Gills have made their enquiries and it just seems to be a matter of whether they have the money to back up their interest.
Just one last note on the injuries. Shame to see former Ajax man Stanley Aborah limp off with a hamstring injury on Friday. That could end his chances of a deal at the Gills. I was hoping to see him take a spot-kick as I’m told they are a bit special.