Gareth Ainsworth has shed light on Jack Nolan’s Gillingham future after he was left out of their squad for their latest pre-season match.
The Gills played Dartford in their most recent run-out, just 24 hours after a second squad played Chatham Town. Whilst the majority of the senior squad travelled to Princes’ Park to play the Isthmian League side, Nolan was left out and instead captained the Kent club against their county rivals on Friday.
Ainsworth Affirms Nolan’s Chances
Speaking to Kent Online about Nolan’s omission against Dartford, manager Gareth Ainsworth confirmed that the winger will still be part of his squad heading into the League Two campaign, which starts this week as they face Accrington Stanley, from whom the 24-year-old was signed last summer. The former Wycombe Wanderers boss said:
“There wasn’t really enough space to get him minutes in the group (at Dartford).
“Jack’s part of the team. He’s on a contract here, so we’ll keep including Jack in the squad. No problem at all, unless we’re told otherwise.
“It was great for Jack to lead them but just probably not enough space to get everyone minutes in the game.”
Nolan had an underwhelming first season at Priestfield, with just one goal and three assists across 38 games, a far cry from his previous season under John Coleman’s Stanley, where he scored 17 times and assisted a further 13 times across four competitions.
Writers’ View
Jack Nolan’s omission from the senior squad for this pre-season game has caused speculation about his future at Gillingham. Of course, with the length of contracts within League Two, the 24-year-old has to deliver in order to remain at Priestfield, and getting him regular game time is key to that. Nolan played and led a squad the previous night, which suggests he will still have a role to play this season and gave him some valuable leadership experience. The Gills have recruited Bristol City‘s Seb Palmer-Houlden this summer, meaning competition for a place in the starting eleven at right-wing is hotter than ever. But the 21-year-old succumbed to injury against Dartford, meaning that at least for the early stages of this season, Nolan could be given valuable game time to prove he can still contribute effectively.
