Gillingham players report back for pre-season training on Thursday afternoon.

Two months ago the Gills dropped out of League 1 on the final day of the season and new manager Andy Hessenthaler (pictured) begins the process of guiding them straight back up.

"It all starts here and we’re looking forward to it," said Hessenthaler.

"The players have had their break and it’s time to get on with things now and get ready for the first game against Cheltenham.

"It will be a breaking in session (on Thursday) and then we’ll build up. Friday and Saturday will be more intensive and we’ll gradually build the players’ fitness levels up. They do lose their fitness over the summer and so we’ll ease them back in."

Hessenthaler met his squad individually over the summer months and he’s looking forward to working with them collectively now.

"I’m looking forward to being able to work with them day in, day out and being able to improve the players. At Dover it was difficult as you only had two nights a week to get the information across to improve them.

"I’m excited and looking forward to working with them. I’ll gradually get to know their characters and their ability. They are already good players and I want to make them into even better players.

"We do things right here. We’ll make sure things are done professionally and they are disciplined. If we get off to the right start from day one then they know what I’m about and theyll buy into what we want to do here."

Among the contracted players attending on Thursday, Hessenthaler also hopes to run the rule of a number of trialists.

"There are loads of trialists; a lot of young ones," he said.