He has struggled with a calf strain this campaign but won his place in the side back recently.
In recent weeks Hope has been linked with a possible move away from Priestfield, the Iron were even rumoured to be interested at one point.
But after his extended spell on the sidelines, Hope is hopeful that he can secure his place in the centre of defence and earn a new deal at the end of the season.
He said: "People always say I bet you can’t wait to go back up north, but nothing could be further from the truth.
"Yes, my family is up there but my immediate family is down here and we’re settled and love the area.
"If I had to leave Gillingham it would be a real wrench as everyone at the club has always been brilliant.
"But I’m a realist. I know the sizes of squads are getting smaller and recently a lot of the older players have moved on, but hopefully that won’t be me."
On-loan Gary Mulligan will miss only three weeks despite fears his campaign was over after suffering ankle injury.
The 20-year-old, who is on loan at the Priestfield for the rest of the season from Sheffield United, was stretchered off with his leg in a brace during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Doncaster.
However, an MRI scan on Tuesday showed up minor ligament damage and the club estimate he will need just three weeks’ rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Boss Ronnie Jepson could be handed another boost with the news that Neil Harris’s ankle injury is responding well to treatment and he could be in line for a return to the squad against Scunthorpe at the weekend.
Definitely missing for the Gills though is pacy striker Darren Byfield who is serving a four-match ban.