Gillingham manager Neil Harris is hoping a striker already on the club’s books can be the real deal this season.

While the Gills are in the market for a new striker, Lewis Walker will return with a point to prove. He spent last season adapting to life back in English football and the last three months of the campaign out injured. He’s got another chance to impress this month.

Harris wants to see whether Walker can play a part in his first-team this season and believes the 24-year-old has the attributed to do just that.

“We are looking forward to seeing him in pre-season,” said Harris, as he prepares his team for a trip to Dover on Saturday.

“Lewis needs to play this first half of the season. He has great attributes and I really like him.

“He did so well at times last year but could never get a sustained run because of injuries.

“He needs to have a clean pre-season, he needs to get through that and then see where it takes us at the start of the season.

“If Lewis is well and truly in the fold then he has a great opportunity here. If he's not, for whatever reason, and he needs to play then this is certainly something we consider as well, but he's a brilliant lad, a great pro. I really look forward to working in pre-season with him.”

Walker, who played as a youngster at Derby and QPR, joined the Gills last summer after two years in Italy’s lower leagues.

Harris knew he would take time to adapt and was happy to be patient. He’ll now want to see more from him going forward.

The Gills had a solid front two last season in Oli Hawkins and Tom Nichols and have been linked with League 1 striker Alfie May.

Levels have certainly increased since the Gills took Walker in on a free last summer.

“Players just have to come back and impress,” said the boss.

“Hawks and Nico were unbelievable as a pair, I know they didn’t score a goal a game each but as a combination to get us up the pitch and into good areas and as a springboard to go and play off they were excellent, individually and as a pair.

“They have set the standard for the centre forwards that are either coming in the building or that are in the building.

“We're looking to bring players in to compete with them or want to take their shirt because that's what it has to be.

“Lewis coming back, that is the level now, he has to come in and get in front of them two.

“Last year Lew could and should have played more but didn’t because of injury. From day one he will want to be in the team. If he’s not in the team he needs to play, he’ll be saying ‘let me out to go and play some football’.

“I am really open with Lew but a brilliant character and good attributes and I am looking forward to working with him.”