New Gills keeper Stuart Nelson takes the ball during Saturday's 3-2 friendly win over Ebbsfleet Picture: Steve Crispe

By Luke Cawdell

Gillingham manager Martin Allen will intensify his hunt for new recruits this week.

The Gills boss wants up to five new additions and will meet with director of football Andy Hessenthaler and chairman Paul Scally – back from a summer break – in the next few days to discuss his transfer plans.

Allen said: "Places are up for grabs and we are hoping in the next couple of weeks to sign some players.

"We are playing good football and we had a trialist (Bernard Onanga Itoua) in on Saturday.

"We are looking to bring in three players, maybe four or five, so we will have to see how the finances are and what we can do with Andy and the chairman.

"We will hopefully be having those meetings early next week."

Allen has so far brought in four new players, including two goalkeepers (Stuart Nelson and Tommy Forecast), as he aims to turn Gillingham from also-rans to promotion contenders.

Talking of his transfer activity so far, he said: "Ben Strevens came in because I know what he can do, he is a good squad player and a good team player and he has already had three promotions in his career. I know what he is about.

"Charlie (Allen) is cheap and I think we needed some extra legs in that (midfield) area having seen the players in France. He is still young, only 20.

"The goalkeeper (Tommy Forecast) is still young and was part of the deal for Gazzaniga.

"The ones we are looking at we want to come in and go straight into the starting XI, no questions asked."

What players would you like to see Martin Allen bring in? Have your say below.