George Lapslie has added a goal threat to Gillingham from midfield and on Saturday comes up against a manager who helped develop that killer instinct.

Lapslie - who has scored two goals in two starts for the Gills - worked closely with visiting AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson when the pair were together at Charlton. The midfielder progressed through the youth ranks with the Addicks before playing in their first team and moving onto Mansfield in 2021.

“I love Jacko - he’s a great guy,” said 25-year-old Lapslie. "It will be nice to see him!

“He gave me a lot of time when I was at Charlton, I spent a lot of time with him, working on arriving late in the box because that is what he did in his career.

"He will probably be hoping I can’t get on the end of one on Saturday, but we will see."

Lapslie’s first experience at Priestfield was for Charlton, winning twice. He was back with Mansfield earlier this season and enjoyed another win.

The two games he’s played for Gills at ME7 have also seen him enjoy victory. He’ll be hoping that good run continues this week - as the Dons’ weekend visit is followed by Bradford City on Tuesday.

“Maybe it is a good stadium for me,” he said. “Every time I have been here as a player I have won so it’s a good place for me so far.”

Gills fans have certainly preferred seeing him perform for them at Priestfield.

“When the fans are behind you here they drive you on and it makes a massive difference,” he said.

Lapslie moved to the Gills in mid-January, leaving a club pushing for promotion in League 2 to join one battling against the drop - but the player had much to consider.

Moving back closer to his family in Brentwood was key, as was a two-and-a-half year deal put to him by the Gills. He was out of contract at Mansfield this summer. His former team are in great form, pushing for automatic promotion.

“Location is a big thing for me,” he said. “I am living an hour away and I have a little girl and even the month I have been here she’s spent more time with the grandparents than had we stayed up there.

“Also as a family, security is a big part of it. Gillingham were quite keen to get me down quick and all round everyone won, Mansfield got what they wanted, they got some money - I would have left for free in the summer - Gillingham got a player they wanted and I am happy with the contract.”

Lapslie was back at Mansfield recently, chatting to his old supporters at Field Mill and handing one pleased youngster a shirt. He has plenty of happy memories of his time there and no regrets about leaving a side pushing for automatic promotion.

He said: “I left on good terms with the manager and the boys, the decision I made is a lot more than just being near the top of the table or the back end of the table, I have a family to think about, I don’t regret my decision.

“I have nothing but love for that club, they took me in and made me a part of it and I was really happy there, but I have come here and been taken in just as well. Both clubs have looked after me fantastically and I am very grateful.”

Lapslie, together with his partner and daughter are back in Brentwood, living with his mum for now until his old house is sold. Having his family close has certainly helped him settle in quickly - rather than staying in a hotel as he did during his first six months at Mansfield.

“I get to go home and see my family rather than going home to a hotel, this has meant it's been a lot smoother transition than at Mansfield,” he said.

“I get so much support from my girlfriend, the little one and my family. I’m so grateful. Knowing I have that support meant the world to me.”

Since arriving at the Gills the club have started to put relegation fears aside during a great run of form.

“I knew we would be competing in every game,” he said.

“I am not surprised with how we have been going, especially seeing training and how much the staff are preparing us for games, it is not a surprise the results we are getting.”

Lapslie was also asked about his shirt number - 49. He wore 32 at Charlton and Mansfield but that wasn’t available at the Gills - taken by fellow midfielder Josh Chambers. The days of the month of his birthday, his girlfriend and daughter made 49 so he went for that!