Simon Royce believes defender Simon King will be a vital component for the side’s promotion push this season.

The Gills keeper is a big fan of the central defender and he’s now hoping the club can keep hold of what he believes is one of their biggest assets.

“King is a big player for us this year,” said the club’s popular shot stopper. “He was excellent last year. He’s going to be one of the better centre halves in the whole league.

“I know for a fact that towards the end of last season a few clubs were looking at him and it’s great that he’s fighting the cause for us to get up this year and he’s committed himself to us.

“I dare say there will be quite a few scouts looking at him this year and I’m just hoping we can keep hold of him because he’ll be a good player for us.

“He just wants to play week in, week out and he’s not the type of player to say 'I’m not going to play in League 2’.”