Gillingham defender Simon King has suffered a further setback in his recovery from an ankle injury after undergoing a second operation.

King, 26, sustained ligament damage in a pre-season friendly with Bromley and went under the knife soon after.

However, the problem is more serious than first thought and the centre-half has had a second operation which will keep him out until the New Year at the earliest.

Boss Mark Stimson told the Kent Messenger: "Simon is very down at the moment. The ankle was in a bit of a mess, so the surgeon had to tidy it up, and he now has six weeks of non-weight bearing.

"He won't be in great physical shape after that, and then he has to go through rehab, so he won't be back this year."