Gillingham Faces Injury Blow as Zech Obiero Out for Weeks
Gillingham’s flying start to the season has been checked by another brutal injury blow, with Gareth Ainsworth confirming midfielder Zech Obiero is likely to miss “a month or two” after damaging both hamstrings.
The 21-year-old, on loan from Leyton Orient, lasted just 15 minutes of his debut in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Rochdale in League Two. On a day when Gillingham looked rampant on the pitch, the sight of Obiero limping off told a very different story.
Ainsworth, speaking to BBC Radio Kent, did not sugar-coat the setback.
“I think it will be a sustained period on the touchline,” he said. “Terrible for him to start his Gillingham career that way, but it’s football.”
The manager’s faith in the youngster, though, remains absolute.
“I’d sign him again tomorrow. I know exactly what he bring us, but he’s a strong boy and he’ll come back stronger than ever. We’ll have to do without him, and the boys have adapted really well with that.”
Obiero’s injury is the third serious blow to hit the Gills in the opening month of the campaign, turning what should have been a bedding-in period into a test of depth and resilience.
- Captain and centre-back Liam Gordon suffered a knee injury on his debut on the opening day.
- Then came the hammer blow to winger Kadeem Harris, 33, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in the 0-0 draw at Fleetwood.
- Now Obiero joins them on the sidelines, and the pattern is starting to grate.
“It’s unbelievable, and we’ve had some freakishly ridiculous injuries,” Ainsworth admitted. “It’s unfortunate, but it does come in threes. Hopefully that’s the end of it.”
Questions from outside about training methods were brushed aside with a sharp retort. Ainsworth pointed out that Obiero had barely even worked with the squad.
“People can talk about the way we train. He only trained one day, Zech! So if that’s done him in, I’m going to leave this industry.”
Gillingham have started the season with goals, energy and intent. Now they have to prove they can match that with resolve, holding their nerve while three key players watch from the stands.
