Southend vs Gillingham - Southend hopeful of calling on winger Jermaine McGlashan against Gillingham

Posted Thursday, August 04, 2016 by PA

Southend hope to have winger Jermaine McGlashan fit for Saturday's Sky Bet League One opener against Gillingham at Roots Hall.

The 28-year-old free summer signing, who had been released by the Gills, picked up a hamstring problem in the final pre-season friendly against Colchester, but has now returned to training.

Forward Nile Ranger (groin) and midfielder Michael Timlin (hamstring) are both stepping up their rehabilitation as the pair close in on a return to action.

However, midfielder Anthony Wordsworth faces around six weeks out as he is set for an operation on a hamstring problem.

Gillingham will be without new signing Lee Martin, who is likely to be sidelined for as long as nine months after suffered a suspected broken ankle during the pre-season match against Leyton Orient, which was abandoned.

Midfielder Scott Wagstaff, signed from Bristol City, will miss the first couple of weeks of the new camaign after picking up a calf problem.

Left-back Bradley Garmston was another to suffer a pre-season injury, when he dislocated a kneecap, and could yet need surgery.

Defender Aaron Morris (knee) is also out, but Deji Oshilaja, who has returned to the Gills on a season-long loan from Cardiff, should be in contention after overcoming his minor knee problem.