by Luke Cawdell

John Nutter has cancelled his summer holidays in a bid to regain his fitness before pre-season starts next month.

The Gillingham defender recently underwent a hernia operation and, after agreeing a new contract at the start of the month, he’s already back in training as he looks forward to the challenge of League 1 football.

"I’m not going on holiday as I just want to focus on getting fit and not sitting there on a beach for two weeks losing fitness," he said.

"I’ll probably go away for a weekend somewhere but I just want to be fit and ready. I’ve got the rest of my career to go on holiday.

"I will definitely be fit for the start of training and I’ll be there with everyone else on the starting line.

"I’m working with the physiotherapist to make sure the rehab is right. I’ve already lost 10 days because of the operation and lost a bit of fitness, I want to get that back now."

Nutter (pictured) agreed a new one-year deal, with an additional year if he plays a certain amount of games.

"It’s always been pretty straight forward with the gaffer and I’ve worked with him for a few years now," said the 26-year-old.

"It just means I have to earn it and I have to earn it by playing like I did last year. If, like last year, I’m playing every week then I must be doing something right."