Gillingham defender Garry Richards’ hopes of getting some first team football have been hampered by a bout of conjunctivitis.

Richards was left out of the Gillingham side following mid-October’s defeat to Brighton and a succession of injuries have left his hopes of fighting his way back in tatters.

Richards, 23, was due to head out on loan, with Hereford and Barnet interested, to get games under his belt but that has been put on hold.

He looks set to be sidelined for up to two weeks.

Manager Mark Stimson said: "There was a bit of interest but unfortunately he picked up a severe case of conjunctivitis. He doesn’t look like Garry Richards, he looks really sore and is on a course of antibiotics.

"That’s a bit frustrating as he would have gone out and got some football to help him get his fitness back and also (help us) financially. There is possibly one or two others where something might happen."