Gillingham are progressing well with deals for two forwards - and hope to have at least one completed this week.

The Gills take on League 1 Cambridge United in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday and manager Neil Harris hasn’t ruled out having a new face in the team for the trip.

Harris and the Gills have been thwarted in their attempts to sign a striker this summer so far but the hard work behind the scenes hasn’t stopped.

Speaking about their pursuit of forwards, Harris said: “We have tried very hard to develop that this week.

“We feel we have developed and we do feel we are a lot closer to one or two, a lot closer to two which hopefully means one will come off, one might not, you have to hedge your bets sometimes.

“I don't want to get ahead of ourselves. The problem we have at the moment is there are a lot of clubs, certainly in the league above, looking for attacking players and unfortunately they can pay more wages than we can. We have to be respectful of that.

“As much as it is frustrating for all of us, the fortunate bit of having Kenny Jackett and Andy Hessenthaler’s experience (in the recruitment department) and my experience is that we remind each other that we are looking at the right players.

“If we lose out on the odd player and they go to the league above, or two leagues above, then maybe we were looking at the right type of player but we are going to lose out.

“We are looking for players and trying to progress players and hopefully we get one in the building, if not for Tuesday, then for Saturday (at Dagenham).”

The Gills should have striker Oli Hawkins fit again this week after he missed the last few pre-season games with a heel injury, which had left Tom Nichols as the only fit senior striker.

Gillingham have been linked to numerous forwards this summer but have yet to add to their forward line. Last week Ipswich Town striker Joe Pigott - one of those rumoured to be on the club’s radar - joined Leyton Orient.

The Gills could still go down the loan route but permanent deals are being preferred.

Harris said: “The loan market is definitely an option and if we end up down that route then absolutely fine.

“We haven’t got any loan players in the building at the moment, we have plenty of opportunity.

“The loan market is not a priority for us, we would rather take our own players as a football club, but if it is the loan market then we are prepared to work for that as well.”