Martin Allen is keen to continue blooding Gillingham's talented youngsters into the team.

Last season the likes of Connor Essam, Jack Evans, Paulo Gazzaniga and Ashley Miller were regulars in Gills' first team squad under former boss Andy Hessenthaler.

And Allen is planning to keep using the young players who served the Gills so well last season.

He said: "There is nothing better than seeing good young players come through. All the supporters love young players coming through and it's great."

Last season, Essam (pictured) - who has just turned 20 - played 18 games for the Gills during the second half of last season, eventually earning himself a new three-year deal.

Gillingham will be well represented with youngsters next season, with Daren Hawkes, Evans, Callum Davies, Tom Brunt, Alex Brown and Joe Carter all being taken on for a further season by the Blues.

Third-year scholars Jack Parter, Jake Hessenthaler, Bradley Dack, George Humber, Nathan Nyafli and Josh Hare will also be hoping to be knocking on the first-team door, as will young professional Miller.