A goalless pre-season is of little concern to Gills striker Cody McDonald.

Last season’s leading scorer may have failed to hit the target since returning from the summer break but knows the time to judge hasn’t begun.

The season kicks-off tomorrow (Saturday) for the Gills, when they take on MK Dons and McDonald believes only then can people criticise his goal record.

He said: “I haven’t scored in pre-season but if I go and score on Saturday and we win, then all of a sudden that gives me confidence, gives the team confidence and the manager confidence.

“Some people might see it as a concern that I haven’t scored but I don’t. I don’t seem to score in pre-season – I only scored once last summer.

“I have missed a couple of chances but the only real clear-cut one was against Dover which got cleared off the line. I am not overly worried in pre-season.

“I suppose when the season comes round and I don’t start scoring then people should maybe get a little concerned but I am not at the minute and am raring to go.”

McDonald led the scoring for Gills last season, hitting 17 goals in total. He heads into the new season with 46 league goals from 82 starts.

And despite not hitting the net, he’s feeling sharp.

He said: “I feel fitter than I did at the same stage last time in pre-season but I suppose that doesn’t matter unless you start performing on the pitch.

“Games start on Saturday. They come thick and fast and all the lads are looking forward to it. Everyone is raring to go, putting their name into the hat to start.”

Read the full interview in this Friday's Medway Messenger newspaper. We've got SEVEN pages of Gills coverage as they prepare for the new League 1 season.