Gillingham will be using Saturday's pre-season match against Charlton Athletic as a dress rehearsal for the season proper.

The Gills kick off their competitive campaign with a trip to Bristol City in the League Cup on August 14 before hosting Bradford City in their League 2 opener on August 18.

Assistant manager John Schofield said: "We will be preparing for a game on Saturday similar to what we would do for a league game.

“Up until now, we have been using the games as part of training, we have been doing double sessions before games and we have judged our performances on that. We know what the players have done and not done.

"We have to practice the pre-game routine and our build-up. This week will be very similar to what it will be going into the games as the season starts.

"They will know what times to turn up and what kinds of intensities we will train at on Thursday and Fridays. It's very important that we don't leave the game on the training pitch."

Several players picked up knocks in the game at Dover in midweek but Andy Frampton, Connor Essam (pictured above) and Lewis Montrose were all expected to be fit again for the weekend, having resumed training.

The visit of last season's League 1 champions Charlton will be Gillingham's hardest test of the pre-season so far.

It is also a game with local bragging rights at stake and despite being on the eve of the new season, Schofield sees no problems with the players giving their all.

He said: "It is always a difficult one but there are 11 shirts up for grabs and everyone in that dressing room wants to be starting that first match at Bristol City.

"I am sure whoever starts on Saturday will be wanting to keep hold of the shirt for the games after that. That's how it should be and I don't think you can dampen that competitiveness down as coaches and management. Supporters don't want it dampened down. You want to see everything what the lads have got, that's the only way to play.

"I am sure it will be the first look for some of the fans at us, as a first proper home game.

"I know we played at home in the centenary game but this is a game against a Championship club who did very well last season. They have some good players, a good manager and they play attractive football so it will be a massive test but one that we are relishing and looking forward to."

Defender Tom Flanagan, on loan from MK Dons, is expected to make his debut for the Gills and he is a player Schofield is looking forward to working with.

"It is a very good signing," he said. "He is a good footballer and he strengthens us down the spine of the team. Any side that are going to be consistent in their performances need a nice strong spine."