Gillingham’s fitness levels have ‘gone through the roof’ according to head coach Ady Pennock.

A lack of fitness was one area that Pennock felt held the Gills back last season and he’s spent the summer making sure that won’t be the case again.

Nine pre-season games followed on from a gruelling week in Northern Ireland and Pennock likes what he sees.

Speaking after Friday’s game at Colchester, he said: “They were breathing out of their backsides in the last 10-15 minutes and they are entitled to, because I have been working them hard in training.

“Even on Tuesday, when we played the Belgian side (Patro Eisden), we had a two-and-a-half-hour training session before that game and they gave me 45 minutes each.

“Last year we were conceding late on but fitness levels have gone through the roof and I do believe that when you are physically fit you are mentally fit as well.

“It is all down to the players over their fitness, they have worked very hard and we had a programme from the start of the season. They came back from the summer fit and they are fitter and stronger now.”

Gillingham look set to start the season without new signings Conor Wilkinson (ankle) and Alex Lacey (knee) after both suffered injuries during pre-season.

Wilkinson watched Friday’s game at Colchester from the sidelines.

“It is a big week for him,” said Pennock. “He has a plastic boot on, as a precautionary thing. He looks like Robocop but we are just looking after him.

“Fingers crossed for Alex.”