Gillingham are keen to see young midfielder Josh Chambers sign a new deal as the club move closer to finalising an under-23 team.

Chambers, 19, would be the ideal player that the Gills will be looking to develop within a new set-up, bridging the gap between youth team and first-team football.

More: Onwards and upwards for Gillingham

Neil Harris has spoken of his desire to have that back-up team ever since taking over as manager at Gillingham and that appears to be edging closer to reality.

Much work has to be done to run an additional side, none more so than having the players to fill the team. Chambers went out on loan to Worthing for most of this season, enjoying plenty of game-time with the National South side.

Harris said: “We are certainly edging towards a younger group next year like an under 21-s group/under-23 B team, whatever title we are going to go with, we are certainly edging that way.

“It is the will of the football club. I’ve talked about it, Kenny (Jackett, director of football) has talked about it, we have all talked about it, it’s what we want but we just have to make sure it connects.

“Josh has played 35-36 games in National League South this year and done really, really well and so to bring him back for the final push made sense to us. I was delighted to get him on the pitch (at Salford).

“I was a bit disappointed in myself that I didn’t get him on last week against Newport but I made sure we got him at least 15-20 minutes. I just wanted to see that development in him over the last couple of weeks. He has developed and we want to keep developing him.

“Hopefully Josh stays with us. He’s out of contract but under 24 so he’s our player, we want him to stay and sign a new contract.”

The Gills already have other players they are keen to develop, such as Jayden Clarke - who made his first Football League start in the game at Salford - and young right-back Ike Orji who joined from Chatham Town.

Striker Joe Gbode also starts his first season as a professional from the 2023/24 campaign.

Harris said: “Josh falls into the same category as Jayden, come in pre-season, be around the group, start well and force your way in and you’re in the plans.

“If it doesn’t quite materialise on a first team level on the first game of the season then an opportunity to go and develop with us and then on loan is there for them.”