Andy Hessenthaler hopes his time as scout at Burnley will prove beneficial for the Gills.

Gillingham’s newly appointed assistant manager has spent the last season taking in matches up and down the country, with an eye for the next big thing.

“The book is full of potential players,” said Hessenthaler.

“I was out watching a lot of games while working for Burnley and I spoke to Peter about a lot of players. We were always talking.

“He has good plans with recruitment of players and hopefully it’s going to be an exciting season.

“Peter has got his targets and things are moving very nicely on that to add to what he already has at the club. He is assembling a very good squad for next season.”

After releasing 11 players at the end of the season, the Gills have a busy summer of recruitment ahead.

“It is just about recruiting the right ones, that’s the key,” said Hessenthaler.

“We are not going to be able to have a massive squad like some of the clubs out there and you have to pick carefully.

“We have a budget to work with and we already have the basis of a very good squad here. Peter has obviously got a group of players he wants to bring to the club and hopefully over the next few weeks everyone will see the signings and, come the start of the season, we will have assembled a very good squad.”

"The club is in my blood." - Read about Hessenthaler's appointment here.