Gillingham’s new forward Sam Vokes is set to miss several pre-season fixtures after suffering a broken arm in Wycombe Wanderers’ final League One match of 2024–25.
The injury, sustained during an awkward fall following an aerial challenge, has ruled the experienced striker out of his new club’s opening friendly against Dover Athletic.
Not Risking Vokes In Pre-Season
Manager Gareth Ainsworth has made clear that Vokes, who signed for the Gills after being released by Wycombe this summer, is still in the non-contact phase of recovery and will not be risked prematurely.
“Sam Vokes broke his arm on the last game of the season and he was 12 weeks non-contact, so he’s not going to feature,” Ainsworth told Kent Online. “He will probably go right up until the end of pre-season before he can start to really put himself about.”
Vokes isn’t the only player the Gills are handling with care. Elliot Nevitt, who picked up a knock in the final game of last season, will also sit out the Dover match, along with several others nursing minor issues. Ainsworth revealed that seven players are being held back for precautionary reasons, but added that Conor Masterson, Bradley Dack, Sam Gale, and Shad Ogie are progressing well.
With first-team regulars missing, the door is open for fringe players and first-year professionals to impress, including goalkeeper Jake Turner, Marcus Wyllie, and Seb Palmer-Houlden.
Ainsworth’s side face National League South outfit Dover in their first summer outing, with the manager emphasising development over results. “It will be a good game, but it is the first one. I don’t want anyone getting carried away with the result, whether it’s good or bad. August is the important month to get stuck into.”
Writer’s View
Sam Vokes’ absence is a setback for Gillingham’s pre-season preparations, but Gareth Ainsworth’s pragmatic approach makes sense. Vokes will be a crucial figure once the League Two campaign kicks off, and there’s no point risking him in friendlies.
What stands out from Ainsworth’s comments is a clear cultural shift—he’s emphasising caution, opportunity for youth, and long-term thinking. With experienced figures like Dack and Masterson available, the Gills should still have enough to compete during pre-season while keeping their big guns fresh for August.
