GILLINGHAM defender David Perpetuini is hoping to prove his fitness and earn a new deal at the club.

Perpetuini, who ruptured his cruciate ligament in December, has been working hard to get himself fit for the pre-season campaign.

But although he feels his knee is stronger the out-of-contract defender is anxious to get his future sorted out.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler has expressed a wish to keep the left-sided player but the former Watford man is still sweating on his future.

He said: "I'm not nervous about the knee, because I think it will be fine, but I'm out of contract and I've got a mortgage to pay and it's not nice to be in that position with that over my head.

"I think the club are aware my knee is as good as ever but maybe they want to see me playing a few games in pre-season and see me have a bit of contact on it.

"But I love Gillingham and I hope we can get something sorted out."

Perpetuini has been pushing himself hard and is stepping up his rehabilitation with a trip to Lilleshall where he will undergo intensive one-to-one training.

He added: "I have been going once a month and doing some intensive work and that's the idea of going again.

"I had a good surgeon and he told me that my knee would probably be stronger. I hope to make a full recovery and start pre-season with the rest of the lads."