Jack Payne is set to give Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler a welcome Christmas present by returning to the squad this weekend.

The teenage midfielder was an ever-present member of Hessenthaler’s team before a broken foot last month left him sidelined.

Hessenthaler is tipping local boy Payne to have a "massive future" in the game and is delighted to see him return to the squad.

"He was our most consistent player at the start of the season and will definitely be in contention for Aldershot away (on Boxing Day)," said Hessenthaler.

"It’s nice to have him back. He is a great player, he has a massive future ahead of him and is going to be a big part of this team.

"He’s very level-headed and he is still really young. I have been really pleased with him, I’ve enjoyed working with him and for me he has everything.

"He has just got to keep working hard. He’s a local boy and there have been some good players from the area who have left and gone on to bigger and better things.

"That may well happen to Jack in the future, but at the moment we want him to help us to achieve what we want to achieve."