Hope's contract worries

Last updated : 08 December 2005 By Simon Head

Hope: Wants to win over new boss Ronnie Jepson

Hope's form has been patchy of late, and an injury sustained in the win over Hartlepool has forced him out of the first-team equation at a crucial state of the season. Clearly, the timing of his injury has left Hope worried, as the former Scunthorpe centre half tries to prove his worth to new manager Ronnie Jepson.

"There's going to be a lot of changes in January," he told BBC Radio Kent.

"He wants to bring his own players in."

"That's why I'm frustrated that I'm injured, as I want to be out there proving myself."

Hope was a model of consistency in his first four seasons at Gillingham, but his form has dipped over the last couple of seasons as the Gills have struggled, first in the Championship, and now in League One.

Hope will be desperate to get back into the side as soon as possible, but if Leon Johnson and current on-field skipper Ian Cox continue to show improved form in the middle of the Gills defence, Hopey could find himself having to play second fiddle for a while.