Experienced defender Adam Barrett has backed new signing David Wright to be a success at Priestfield.

Wright has arrived at the Gills on a one month loan from Crystal Palace where he was once a team-mate of Barretts.

And Barrett (pictured), who himself only recently joined on a one year deal from Bournemouth, was delighted to be back in the company of Wright.

He said: "I know David really well and I was at Crystal Palace with him. He is an experienced player, he is a good addition to the squad and he can come in and help the young lads in the midfield and I am sure he will be an important signing for us."

Wright is comfortable in defence but has recently been playing in midfield, where he is likely to feature for the Gills.

Barrett said: "He is very disciplined in the holding midfield role. He likes to sit infront of the back four.

"He keeps things simple and he knows his job inside out and brings an added bit of experience to the middle of the park.

"It is an area the gaffer has looked at and wanted to strengthen and we have a really strong squad. David has only added to that and down the spine of the team we have a bit of experience there and lads who have had promotions, been in the game a while and can help the youngsters.

"David certainly fits that bill and I am sure he will prove to be a fantastic signing for us."

The Gills face a Bristol Rovers team without a League 2 win to their name yet on Saturday but Barrett knows they will be no pushovers.

"They are probably one of the strongest squads in the division," he said.

"They haven’t had the start that they would have liked, they are struggling at the wrong end, but we are just five games in and there is a long way to go.

"Things can change quickly. It will be a strong test and they will be coming here trying to cause a bit of an upset and to get their season going.

"We have to make sure we approach it right, as we have done in every other game. Every game there is a battle to be won and if we do that then we have enough quality in this squad to come out and win that game."

The Gills currently sit top of the table heading into the weekend’s game.

"We have the target on our backs because we are top of the table and we are there top be shot at," said Barrett.

"I think as players who have to thrive on it and enjoy it. I have been in squads where you are at the wrong end of the table and that’s the pressure you don’t want.

"This is a nice pressure and I think it’s something you should thrive on and enjoy. The aim is now to stay there."