Gillingham captain Fuller ruled out for four weeks

Fuller joined Gillingham from Stevenage in January 2008

Gillingham captain Barry Fuller will miss the start of the season after sustaining a knee injury during a pre-season friendly.

The 25-year-old limped off 19 minutes into Saturday's 2-1 win at Ebbsfleet.

The club confirmed that the defender has damaged medial ligaments and will be out for four weeks.

Winger Dennis Oli also faces at least six weeks out with a torn hamstring, while striker Cody McDonald is struggling with an ankle injury.

Gillingham are also without defender Simon King, who has suffered an ankle injury which means he is unlikely to play before Christmas, while centre-half Gary Richards and striker Mark McCammon have not played a game in pre-season.

Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent: "It is a concern because at this stage we do not want to be picking up injuries.

"Barry went in for a good challenge and it's opened his knee up. He will be a loss and since I have taken over at the club he has been fantastic, he has been a proper captain.

"We'll have to see how long and how bad it is."