Andy Hessenthaler admits his decision to bring the players back from their holidays early is a move even he isn’t used to.

The Gillingham manager (pictured) has instructed the squad to return to the club on June 27 – a week earlier than normal – as he builds the foundations for what he hopes will be a more successful League 2 campaign.

“It’s an early one,” he said. “I want to hit the ground running next season because we know what we have to do.

“It’s probably the earliest I will have ever been back in for pre-season as a player or a manager.

“It’s usually the first week in July but I need to change something and we’ve decided to come back a week early.

“The players were okay with that, I think, and they know it’s a long time off and I think sometimes it is probably too long.

“If I had my way we would be back this week because I just want to get on with things.

“But you do need a break, physically and mentally, and for me more mentally.”