Gills manager Martin Allen has handed a defender with top-flight European football experience a trial with the Gills.

Central defender Bernard Onanga Itoua lined up for Gillingham against Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

The 23-year-old (pictured in a challenge alongisde team-match Charlie Lee) was recommended to Allen by an agent and once the Gills boss had checked out the player’s CV he jumped at the chance to take a look.

"He did alright," said Allen, on the defender’s first showing for the Gills.

Itoua played for Auxerre between 2008 and 2011 and last season was with Bulgarian top flight side Litex Lovech.

"He is strong and he’s quick," said Allen.

"He came in and trained with us on Friday. He speaks hardly any English and he didn’t listen to me that’s for sure! We will have to have a chat about him and what he can do."