Gills stopper ready for the challenge as Neil Harris' men prepare to take on Newport.
Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner says he is ready to step up to the challenge of being the ‘last line of defence' at ME7. The former Newcastle stopper admits that the circumstance could be better, after the injury sustained by his mentor and Gills No.1 Glenn Morris, but he is confident of taking his chance between the posts.
The shoulder injury picked up by Morris against Northampton will see him out of action until at least Christmas and with Turner shining in cup competitions, including the win over Premier League outfit Brentford, he will be looking to bring his impressive form into Sky Bet League Two action, starting with Newport on Saturday.
“I am absolutely gutted for Glenn," explained Turner. “He is a great guy and a great goalkeeper. I have learned so much from him. I've messaged him two or three times and just wished him all the best with his injury. I have told him that I'm there for him if he needs anything.
“In training he is there to talk to. He's been around for so long and played so many games. Watching him from the bench you pick up little things without even noticing. It's been class to have him around.
“When he first went down injured, I was just hoping he was okay. When the staff tell you to get ready, you switch into game mode. It's about me now, it's about my first action. I switched into that mode and got on with it.
“You always have to be ready as a back-up keeper, you never know when your chance is going to come. When it does come, you have to take it. I'm ready and feeling confident and hopefully I can stay in the team for as long as possible.”
Turner’s love of football was instilled in him by his dad. The football-loving father travels far and wide watching Jake and his sister Millie, who stars for Manchester United Women’s team, and it all started with family kickabouts.
“Mille used to take shots against me in the garden when we were younger,” reminisces Turner. “I think she just popped me in the net to practice her shooting, even though she's a centre-back now. It's good to see her doing so well after an injury. My dad loves it, he travels all over the country watching me on a Saturday and her on a Sunday. He does some miles in the car.”
His father would certainly have been proud of Jake’s heroics in the Carabao Cup, Gills upset the formbook to dump Brentford out of the competition which has set the Kent side up with another glamour opponent in Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“The Brentford game was one of my highlights in the professional game,” said the goalie. “To win on penalties with all the fans there was special. It was a great moment for them and for us to share that with them.
“We have been good in the cups but it's all about the league now. You take the highs and lows and you move on, you put them to the back of your mind.
“We haven't got the results that we have needed. That is why we are where we are in the league. It's just a matter of time till we turn the losses into draws and the draws into wins and then we can start climbing the table.”