Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth has admitted that Anis Mehmeti’s injury has ‘worried’ him, following the Chairboys’ 1-1 draw at Gillingham.
The Albanian Under 21 international came off just 10 minutes into the match at Priestfield after being on the receiving end of two robust challenges.
After initially getting treatment from the first tackle, Mehmeti was challenged again moments later.
20 - GOOOAALLL!!!!!!!! SUPER SAM VOKES AGAIN! #Chairboys #GillsFC
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 9, 2022
🔵 0-1 🪑
He then immediately signalled to the bench to be substituted.
Brandon Hanlan was brought to replace the outgoing Mehmeti and assisted Sam Vokes’ 15th goal of the season to give Wanderers the lead on 20 minutes.
Jack Tucker then equalised for the Gills in the second half before Lewis Wing was sent off for a foul on Olly Lee.
Wing’s red card (if not rescinded) will mean he will be absent for Wycombe’s next three games which are against Plymouth Argyle, AFC Wimbledon and Sheffield Wednesday.
When asked if Mehmeti’s early departure had caused disruption to his game plan, Ainsworth said: “Of course it did.
HT: Gillingham 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers.
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 9, 2022
Sam Vokes' brilliant opener gives the #Chairboys a deserved a lead against the struggling Gills. A very solid opening half of football.
“You plan for something and after 10 minutes you need to change it up, so it was a disruption and Brandon is more of a centre forward.
“Anis coming off has worried us as no player just wants to come off, so we will have to look at that and with Wing’s red card, he’ll miss the next three games so we are going to have to use all of our resources in the squad.
Lewis Wing's challenge that led to a straight red. Gillingham v Wycombe.
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) April 9, 2022
Worth an appeal 🤔pic.twitter.com/tEVJ1pi5SR
“Dominic Gape and Sullay Kaikai are just some of those who travelled and they can’t wait to be a part of this run in, and I think we’ve got enough depth to cover those positions.
“Anis will be a miss but we will have to see what the medical team have to say.
“But after going off 10 minutes in, it might be a nasty one.”
85 - Lewis Wing has just been shown a red card for a late tackle on Olly Lee. From seeing it where I am sat, it looked like he won the ball. Gillingham have had the wind in their sails this half. #Chairboys #GillsFC
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 9, 2022
🔵 1-1 🪑
On Wing’s red card, he added: “I was more concerned about the foul that led to the goal.
“I thought we were going to get a free-kick, but for some reason, the free-kick has been given to Gillingham and that’s ended up in the goal.
READ MORE: 'We take it on the chin' - Gareth Ainsworth on Wycombe's draw away at Gillingham
“I’ll have to look at that as well as Lewis’ tackle, yet it will be Lewis that will get punished as he will miss the next three games if it is upheld.
“We’re going to have to regroup this week, get a good week of training in and get these boys recovered as they have given me everything over the last week.
“It’s really important that we’re right for next week for whatever happens in terms of who comes in.
"Because for all we know, Anis could be fit as we don’t know what the extent of his injury is.”
Wycombe are currently seventh in League One.
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