Gillingham FC releases first footage of Liam Gordon in training as skipper closes in on first-team return

Gordon has reportedly been on the grass for the past two to three weeks, with the Scot carefully working his way back to full fitness after sustaining bone fractures in his knee on Gillingham's opening-day defeat to Walsall at Priestfield.

The injury came about when Gordon took a bump while in mid-air, challenging for a header, and the big centre-back came down and landed on a straightened leg that did not bend on landing.

The immediate fears as he was helped off the field were that he'd ruptured his knee ligaments, and when he was later spotted sitting in the Brian Moore Stand wearing a knee brace, the Priestfield faithful feared the worst.

But during his Q&A appearance on the opening day of the new Fan Zone at Priestfield, Gordon revealed that his injury wasn't as bad as first feared, and that he was nearing a return to training.

Now, footage has been released showing the former Motherwell defender running freely during warm-up sessions at Gillingham's Beechings Cross training ground.

There was no footage of him doing any ball work, but the footage, together with the mentions from manager Gareth Ainsworth over the last few weeks that he was "on the grass," suggest that a return might not be too far away.

His return can't come too soon, with Gillingham looking ready to head into a busy period through November and December.

The team has back-to-back cup games this week, with Barrow at home in the FA Cup, followed by an away trip to Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy.

Then the attention returns to League Two action, with two important games against early pacesetters Crewe Alexandra (at home), and Salford City (away). A Tuesday night home clash with old rivals Swindon Town swiftly follows the Salford game, on December 1.

It's unlikely Gordon will be rushed back, but if he's close to match fitness, there's a chance he could be given some minutes against Northampton to ease himself back in, with a view to him eventually returning to the starting XI for league action later in the month.

Gordon isn't the only player closing in on a return. Midfielder Zane Albarus is expected to feature at some point over the next few games after completing 45 minutes without issue against Huddersfield in the Premier League Under-21s Cup on Tuesday night. Striker Will Goodwin is also on the comeback trail.