Quality goalkeepers are in abundance, which is lucky as Gillingham need two.

Manager Neil Harris was quite far down the line in negotiations with at least one goalkeeper this week as he looks to rebuild that playing department from scratch.

First-choice stopper Aaron Chapman has moved to Stevenage and loan keeper Pontus Dahlberg returned to parent club Watford, while youth goalie Tom Crump was released.

But there’s rich pickings out there, according to Harris.

He said: “There is a lot to consider with the goalkeepers because you have to consider who plays in front of the goalkeeper, leadership-wise.

"It is a bizarre market for goalkeepers at the moment, there are a hell of a lot of good goalkeepers.

“For the first time in a long time I am really open minded with goalkeepers, experienced ones, young ones, I think it is nice to have a blend, of both.

“I saw in Gavin Bazunu at Portsmouth last year [on loan from Manchester City], arguably the best goalkeeper I have ever seen at that level and it was his first loan and that is just testimony where football is at the moment.

"So many Premier League and top Championship clubs are carrying probably four top, top goalkeepers because they can afford to, and they are just managing their minutes and their loans.”

Gillingham benefited themselves in the first-half of the season with a Premier League loan, with Chelsea youngster Jamie Cumming looking a promising keeper and moving on to MK Dons for the second part of the season to challenge at the top end of League 1.

Another rookie top-flight keeper with an experienced head might be the way to go again next term.

Harris added: “At the moment we are looking at younger goalkeepers that are ready to come in and play but also keeping a close eye on the senior market as well.

“We have progressed a lot with the goalkeepers over the last few days and a lot of responsibility falls on Deren Ibrahim (the goalkeeper coach) and his opinion but again, at the moment, I am quietly confident that there is imminent progress on that.”