Bradley Dack is desperate to shake off a knee injury and get back to top form.

The Gills have just had their first free midweek and Dack will benefit from the rest on a knee that is structurally sound but suffering with bone bruising.

Despite the stop-start season, the midfielder hasn’t been out of the news.

A big-money move away from Priestfield looked a possibility before the transfer window closed but that call never came, meaning he is staying with Gills until at least January.

Dack watched the deadline-day deals unfold with friends.

He said: “We chilled out in front of the television. I’ve got friends in football and we wanted to see who was moving. Nobody really called my phone. That was it. I came into training the next day.

“I am happy here, I have been here since I was 15 and I am comfortable here. I get on with the boys, it’s a great club and it’s only going upwards.

“I am a Gillingham player and all I can do is try my hardest, get my head down, get as fit as possible, score as many goals as I can and keep doing what I’m doing.

“I have got a great relationship with the gaffer. I owe a lot to him for what I have achieved so far. He has given me that licence to roam and the freedom to do what I have done.”

Last season’s star player has been hampered by an injury he picked up during Gills’ EFL Cup match at Southend. It has limited him to just four starts this season and threatens to keep him out of this weekend’s home game against Bradford.

Dack said: “You don’t like to make excuses but it is sore and that can hold you back. Your mind is telling you to do something but your body can’t.

“It is something we are going to try and deal with.”