Gabriel Zakuani believes Max Ehmer has developed into a more complete defender and is happy to take some of the credit.

Ehmer made his 150th appearance for the Gills on Tuesday night, playing alongside Zakuani in defence, as he has done all season.

Zakuani moved to the Gills in the summer, with the task of trying to shore up a defence that had conceded too many goals the season before.

He and Ehmer have struck up a winning partnership.

“I like Max a lot,” said the Democratic Republic of Congo international.

“He has improved a lot from when I have played against him in the past.

“He is a bit more no-nonsense since I have been here, I think he sees what I do and I hope that what I do has rubbed off on him a bit.

“He plays a lot safer than he probably used to before but when he needs to bring it down, he is good on the ball, a good passer and I have enjoyed every second of playing alongside him.

“We both rub off each other. He is definitely more comfortable on the ball. I am more no-nonsense but the fact that he has brought that into his game has made him a lot better. He is more complete now than he was before.

“He is definitely someone I would like to go to war with.”

Read more from Gabriel Zakuani in Thursday's Medway Messenger newspaper