Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler is keen to step up the integration between his youth team and the seniors in the coming weeks.

Hessenthaler has already started giving some of his second-year scholars a taste of the first team and more will get the chance to train with the senior team.

The Gills boss is blessed with a blossoming youth side and he revealed this week that 17-year-old Ashley Miller has already agreed professional terms after impressing with the junior side.

On Saturday, Miller and youth team skipper Bradley Dack (pictured) both scored hat-tricks in a 10-0 win over Dagenham.

"It was tough on Dagenham and our boys were terrific," said Hessenthaler. "It just shows how good a season they are having.

"The lad Bradley Dack seems to be scoring goals like they are going out of fashion. He gets himself into the box and is terrific.

"We have a real good youth side and Darren Hare (youth manager) has done a good job with them. It shows the development they are getting and who is coming through.

"Some of the players have been introduced to the first team and they are aware of all the youth boys. We had three of them join in with the first team on Monday.

"It’s good experience for them and we need to start looking at them in men’s football. We will start introducing them all into sessions with the first team."