The battle for a starting place at Gillingham is hotting up.

Steve Lovell’s men put five goals past Tonbridge on Saturday and hit another three at Margate.

It’s giving Lovell plenty to ponder, three weeks ahead of the season opener in League 1 at Accrington Stanley.

Lovell said: “I knew what these players could do for us, which is why I brought them in and I am happy they are showing that.

“Sometimes you can bring players in and they don't show it, but they are showing it and they are showing it because they are good enough to.

"It’s one thing doing it at Tonbridge and another question of doing it in League 1, but until you give them a chance you are never going to know.

"They will definitely get the chance because I believe in them. All they need is an opportunity and that is something I will give them. Whether they take that opportunity only time will tell, but our midfield and our forward line are looking very strong and there are going to be a few selection problems I think, come August 4.”

Lovell has certainly injected some threat into his team from midfield.

He said: “The big thing I wanted to change from last season was that I didn’t think we had enough legs in the midfield area, not so much people who could get about, but how quick they can get up the pitch and how quickly they can move the ball.

“I didn’t think we moved it as quick as we can or as we did at Bromley (at Tonbridge) but the (3G) pitch there allowed us to pass it quicker, this game the grass was quite thick and it stopped us passing it as quick as we would like but it was still a nice pitch and it’s a nice ground, we did play some good stuff and score some good goals, but we need to be a bit sharper and quicker in the next three weeks so that we are fully ready to go.”

Striker Tom Eaves wasn’t in action at the weekend, out with an ankle injury, but he could be back for Tuesday night’s game at Dartford. The Gills also take a team to Whitstable Town on the same evening.