GILLINGHAM'S players returned to training on Monday with their opening pre-season friendly just days away.

Ronnie Jepson’s summer re-building project saw Clint Easton and Kelvin Jack become the latest new recruits as the manager targets a 22-man squad.

Jepson will be quick to assess the fitness levels of his players on Monday morning having sent them away at the end of last season with specific targets to aim for.

Jepson said: "It’s not like the old days. The lads will come back quite fit because they look after themselves these days and I gave them a programme to follow over the summer.

"We’ll be working on the fitness and will get the footballs out early doors."

Two first team players who won’t be attending training immediately will be World Cup duo Brent Sancho and Ian Cox who have been permitted an additional rest period.

Full story in Monday's Medway Messenger.