Gillingham opened up a six-point gap at the top of League 2 following Saturday’s top-of-the-table win at Port Vale.

And recalled midfielder Danny Jackman (pictured) believes that manager Martin Allen’s rotation policy is leaving the rest of the division chasing shadows.

The depth in the squad means that Allen has been able to regularly shake up his starting XI and still get results.

"It is brilliant and it’s something that we have which is an advantage over a lot of teams now," said Jackman.

"The manager is spoilt for choice with the team he has got.

"There are generally three or four changes to the teams the manager has put out each week. It goes to show what a good squad we have and he has faith with whoever he puts in."

Jackman, who was back in the side after sitting out the last three games, knows what it’s like to be looking in from the outside.

Last year’s player-of-the-season said: "The older you get you want to play as many games as you can because you never know when it’s going to be your last.

"I am like any player, I am just desperate to play, whether it’s here or anywhere else.

"Myself and the gaffer have a good relationship and he talks to us and to me and says what he wants from us and why he has left us out of the team. There are no problems there, we are all good as a squad."

Picture: Barry Goodwin