by Luke Cawdell

Luke Rooney is back with Gillingham and looking forward to making a fresh bid to win a regular first team spot.

The youngster played four games last month in a loan spell with Eastbourne and has come back refreshed and ready for a challenge.

“I am desperate to play for the Gills,” he said. “The start of the season didn’t go that well for me and not well for the team either. It’s down to me to prove that I should be in the team.

“Now I am back I feel like this is a fresh start for me. I’m going to be training hard and will be in the manager’s face and looking to force my way into the side.

“I need the chance to get my foot in the door and, when I do, I want to stay there.”

With the added experience of a spell with the Blue Square Bet Premier side behind him Rooney feels more equipped to break into Gillingham’s first XI.

“It’s been a little frustrating from a personal level as I haven’t had a run in the side for whatever reason,” he said.

“Eastbourne were keen to take me on loan and it was a club I had done well at last year on loan.

“It was good for me to go there for a month and the (Gillingham) manager was good to his word as he said he would take me back afterwards and let me try and fight for my place at Gillingham. That’s what I want to do.

“It’s been great to go out on loan and get that experience and I feel sharper for it.”

Does Rooney have a part to play for the Gills? Have your say below.