New Gillingham captain Gabriel Zakuani won’t be making any changes to his game because he has the armband.

Zakuani has previously captained Peterborough, Northampton and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He knows just what the job entails.

He said: “I am proud and honoured. It was a good opportunity last year to come and show what I can do and everything I expected to do, I did.

"I showed what I am made of. I enjoyed the dressing room and I am glad to be captain.

“It’s a role I am used to, it’s nothing new, but every year I learn from other captains.

"I have taken a bit from Lee Martin's time (as previous Gills captain) and how he worked with the players, and from captains at other clubs.

“I have my own way of dealing with players. I know who to put my arm around and who needs shouting at.

"The fact I know the team and the players makes it a lot easier to step into the role and I am sure they will react to me like when I was captain on various occasions last year.

"Every time I play I will be wearing an armband but everything else stays the same. I know how to manage a dressing room.”

Zakuani hopes to be given a helping hand by other experienced players anyway, like Max Ehmer, Mark Byrne and Callum Reilly.

“They will be doing what I did last year,” he said.

“I didn’t officially have the armband but I still showed my experience and vocal side of my game. I expect those guys to step up and make it a little easier for me.

"They will do what they usually do, they will bring in experience to the changing room. There are a lot of leaders out there and it is good to have those people around, it makes my job easier.”

Zakuani played at Margate on Saturday, his third run-out of the season.

“I feel very good, in good condition,” he said before the game.

“Every day I am getting fitter. The games are giving us match fitness and sharpness and getting our running out of the way.”

Despite the captaincy, Zakuani knows a starting place isn’t guaranteed.

He said: “Every year I feel I am on trial again and that I have something to prove.

“I want to replicate last year, performance-wise. Every year for the team you want progress and we are all pumped up to step up from last season.”