Young Colombian forward Jorge Hurtado has returned to Watford for assessment and treatment after picking up a knee injury only three games into his loan spell with Gillingham.

The 20-year-old moved to the League Two side at the end of the January transfer window, and had already made a positive impression with the Kent club’s fans during three substitute appearances.

However, it was after the most recent of those three – a 2-2 draw with Swindon last Tuesday – that the injury came to light.

He was on the receiving end of a couple of robust challenges, including one which won the Gills a penalty, and scans have shown cartilage damage in his knee.

Hurtado has consequently returned to the Hornets, whose medical team will decide what steps to take.

Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence said: “It is very disappointing for everybody, both inside the club, and for the supporters as well. His knee swelled up after the game, he took some big whacks in the last game and it looks like he has some cartilage damage.

“We are waiting to see if he needs surgery or not. I don’t know how long it will be, he has to see a specialist.

“Watford are in charge of that now and he was scanned on Thursday. The report has been sent to them and us and something is going on there, I don’t think it is anything too serious, but the parent club will decide what needs doing next and we are in their hands now.

“It is really disappointing because we could all see the talent that we had at the club.

“We still hope to have him back and hopefully it’s not too serious and with some rest maybe he can get back quicker, but I haven’t got my hopes up.

“Everybody will be disappointed, we all are as staff and the players are too because he has become a really likeable lad around the place even though he doesn’t speak much English, he always has a smile on his face.

“He can do things that other players can’t do at times, that South American movement, snake hips. It is a blow for us, but when that happens it is an opportunity for someone else isn’t it?”

Hurtado signed for Watford from Real Cartagena in January 2023, and was then loaned to fellow Colombian side Independiente Medellin.

In the summer Watford sent the forward out on loan to MLS club New York Read Bulls, and he returned at the end of 2023.

Hurtado made his Hornets debut as a sub in the FA Cup tie against Chesterfield, setting up the winning goal for Tom Dele-Bashiru, before heading to Gillingham at the end of January.