The hard work starts now for returning midfielder Josh Chambers after signing a deal with Gillingham.

The teenager recently returned to the club to train after a summer where spent exploring his options elsewhere, including playing for Tottenham’s development team. Chambers had just completed a youth scholarship with the Gills.

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Chambers is now on a contract with the club, although the length of the deal hasn’t been announced.

He previously played for the Gills twice in the league last season under Neil Harris, making his first start at Sunderland.

Harris said during his weekly press briefing he was unlikely to include Chambers in the first-team squad this weekend, despite several injuries in midfield.

"His hard work starts now," said Harris. "He is not ready to go and play first-team football at the moment, we have to build him back up, get him game-time and let the young lad develop like we are trying to do with Bailey Akehurst and Joe Gbode.

"I like the lad, I like his character, I like his mentality, he is a winner and he wants to run before he can walk at times but I don't mind that in players because it shows their determination to want to succeed.

"I gave him his debut at Sunderland, I have a good relationship with him, I am pleased he is back at the football club, does that mean he is going to be a success and play 250 games? We don't know. All we can do with another young player is aid his development and hopefully he shows the ability to develop, play for us and be one of our own on the football pitch."

Captain Stuart O’Keefe remains a weekend doubt with what has been diagnosed as a hamstring issue. He came off the pitch at Hartlepool injured and hasn't trained this week.