Defender Max Ehmer is ready to take on more responsibility this season.

A lack of experience in the Gills squad means the 23-year-old German will be one of those who the younger members of the team will be looking up to.

He has more than 100 league appearances behind him, all picked up while playing loan football over the previous four seasons.

Ehmer said: “This year there is a young squad and I am going to have to be more vocal.

“I have spoken to the gaffer about that already and have got to take that on.

“It is always good to have young players but we’ve also experienced boys with the likes of Cody McDonald. We have got a mixture of both.”

The centre-back signed a three-year deal after the Gills negotiated a deal to prise him away from QPR, where he had a year left to run on his contract.

After a successful loan spell with the Gills last season, he was always keen to return. He said: “I enjoyed my time here, with all of the fans and especially the manager (Justin Edinburgh), who I got on well with.

“It is good to be working under him. I just loved the club.”