Gillingham's Gareth Ainsworth is facing a potential goalkeeping dilemma ahead of the League Two opener against Walsall at the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday. Summer signing Ollie Wright missed pre-season due to injury, prompting Ainsworth to sign shot-stopper Owen Mason on an emergency seven-day loan from Mansfield Town. Mason started between the sticks for the Gills, as they bowed out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 home defeat against Luton Town. The Gills will consider another emergency loan for Wright, who is edging closer to a return. Ainsworth has stated that he would consider retaining Mason for the Saddlers clash. “He’s on an emergency loan, so you can renew that as many times as you need to,” Ainsworth told KentOnline. “I think it’s a week at a time and Ollie’s close - Ollie’s really close. But Owen’s done all right, he’s not played first team football for a while, but he’s a great character. “He kicked it well and I thought he commanded well so we’re fine with Owen.” Elsewhere, Bradley Dack missed the defeat against Luton with a calf issue and it remains unclear if he will be available to face Walsall. The Gills have brought in Cambridge United promotion-winner James Brophy, Scottish defender Liam Gordon from Motherwell, winger Kadeem Harris from Salford City and frontman Will Goodwin from Oxford United. Ainsworth is heading into his second full season in Kent and has his sights set on the top-end of League Two. “I want to be super competitive in this league and give these fans something to shout about,” he added. “We’re too big for this league. Behind the scenes, the commercial team are right up the top in League Two. The fans are right up the top in League Two. “I want the team to be now. I want the points to be right up there in League Two and to match everything else, because it’s a fantastic football club.” Next fixture: vs Colchester (at home, 2027-02-27) (2nd in the table).