Players go AWOL as Stimson hits out

Last updated : 21 March 2008 By Simon Head

Gillingham are currently four points adrift of safety, with crucial matches against fellow relegation strugglers Bournemouth, Port Vale, Carlisle and Luton Town coming up in the next ten days - and Stimson set up a training schedule to prepare his charges for the quartet of matches, which could make or break their season.

But four players failed to show for training this week, leaving Stimson, who has been under fire from sections of the Priestfield support, livid.

Talking to BBC Radio Kent, Stimson said: "It is unthinkable. Players have been told how important these sessions are, and have then missed them.

"They'd have to do something out of this world to get back in my plans."

"It's good in some ways, they've shown me they don't want success as much as I do

"It's been a testing time, and what you need is people around you who are going to roll their sleeves up.

"When there are players who aren't there, and they can be key players - experienced players. It makes me think 'roll on the summer'."