GILLINGHAM end their pre-season campaign against Barnet on Saturday with manager Neale Cooper still searching for new recruits.

The Gills boss has expressed his wish to add to his strike force before the season opener, having had little joy so far in finding back-up for Darius Henderson and Darren Byfield.

Cooper has seen several potential targets try their luck but has been disappointed with the standard.

He said: "We definitely need something more up-front. We’ve had some trialists who on paper are the best players ever – you should read some of the letters we get in, hundreds and hundreds.

"You feel you’re missing out if you don’t have a look at them. They say they’ve been training with personal trainers.

"But you get people in that haven’t kicked a football. That’s not right, we need players that are ready and raring to go.

"Maybe one or two of these agents need to have a serious look at themselves."

South African trialist Warren Cunningham played 45 minutes alongside Byfield at Millwall on Tuesday night but struggled to make an impact.

Former Brighton man Carl Wilson-Denis, winger Tom Brighton and Argentinian forward Luciano Alvarez, together with an unnamed Frenchman, have all tried and failed to make an impression.

Iwan Roberts’ future at the club remains uncertain and the 37-year-old has missed the last two matches with an ear infection.

Cooper is happy with Byfield and Henderson’s performances since his arrival but could lose the latter if a big offer comes in.

Speaking about the Millwall game, Cooper said: "I thought Darius was different class and Darren Byfield’s been excellent since I’ve been here. He worked his socks off for us again.

"Darius has had his transfer request turned down and he’s got to get on with it."

Cooper was encouraged by the team’s improvement in the draw at Millwall.

He said. "It’s been a rebuilding job with 10 or 11 players leaving the club and only two or three coming in. It takes time to gel as a unit."

Meanwhile, Gillingham have been dealt a blow with the news that new goalkeeper Tony Bullock will miss the first month of the season.

He had to go off during the friendly draw at Millwall and tests revealed he had sprained three joints in his right foot.

The keeper signed a two-year deal a month ago.