Stimson led Gillingham back to League One last season

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson says his side will struggle to cope with any more pre-season injuries.

Four of the Gills' key players have had their preparations halted by knocks sustained in friendlies.

"I've never had so may injuries in pre-season before," Stimson told BBC Radio Kent. "It isn't that we're overworking the boys.

"It's just when you get competitive matches, sometimes the tackles are more harmful than in other years."

Midfielders Stuart Lewis and Adam Miller are both battling back from ankle ligament injuries.

Striker Dennis Oli is recovering from a knee problem, while defender Simon King may not play this year at all after sustaining ligament damage against Bromley.

Stimson said: "It's been a crazy one so far and just fingers crossed we don't get any more because if we do then we're very light."

The Gills boss admitted he will be struggling to field his first-choice side for Sunday's game with Crystal Palace.

"We want to play the team that's possibly going to start next week," he said.

"Our strongest squad will get as many minutes as possible."

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