Simon King has made just one brief appearance for Gillingham this season

Watching the chaos unfold in the Gillingham defence from the sidelines, Simon King could be forgiven for feeling mixed emotions in recent weeks.

Certainly there is frustration, at being powerless to prevent Andy Hessenthaler’s side conceding four goals on successive Saturdays in damaging defeats to AFC Wimbledon and Accrington Stanley.

But the centre-back, who has played only a handful of minutes for the Gills this season, would not be human if part of him did not recognise the loss of form opened the door to an opportunity back in the first-team.

“To be honest nothing in football surprises me nowadays,” he said, with the weariness of someone who has played just 11 games in 32 months since suffering a serious ankle injury.

“Obviously it’s down to the gaffer. I’m always here if needed and if he wants to change it hopefully I could go in and do a job. You’ve got to remember we have a top quality squad and the players in front of me are good centre-halves.”

King is far too modest to admit it, but while the players ahead of him in the queue at Priestfield all have proven Football League records, the feeling is none are better than the former Barnet defender at his peak.

It is tempting to think Gillingham’s recent defensive calamities would not have happened on King’s watch, but unfortunately it is not a theory which can be put to the test.

The injury sustained in a pre-season friendly in 2009 did not end the highly-rated defender’s career completely, but the lack of games since (see below) shows the apex was reached three seasons ago, when he helped the Gills to promotion and was seemingly destined for big things individually.

King said: “It’s frustrating because I love the club. The last time I really featured was the season we got promoted and they were great times. I’d love to be out there but I know I have to be patient and wait for a chance.

“Trust me, I love training with the boys and playing on a Saturday, you miss that buzz. I’m itching to get out there but at the same time you have to be patient, I’m not going to kick up a fuss because I’m not playing. I respect the boys in front of me.

“With my injury background you’ve got to be more patient. That’s embedded in you when you’re out for so long. If I didn’t have ankle problems I would be getting very frustrated now. As I’ve got older and a bit more mature you tend to be more patient.”

King, who is still only 28, remains optimistic of playing beyond his 30th birthday, but with his contract at Priestfield expiring at the end of the season he admits in all probability the future may lie elsewhere.

He said: “I haven’t really featured much this season so it’s going to be difficult come the summer, but I’d like to think I’m still capable of doing a job in someone’s League Two team.”

Simon King’s Gillingham career:

2007/08 – 47 appearances

2008/09 – 52

2009/10 – 0

2010/11 – 4

2011/12 – 1 (6 on loan at Plymouth)

Photo by ADY KERRY