Gillingham manager Neil Harris has welcomed a free midweek after a busy start to the new season.

Harris has organised a behind-closed-doors friendly to give some of his players the extra game-time they need but will now allow some of his squad a breather.

It’s been a full-on start to the 2023/24 campaign, with five games in their first 15 days since it all kicked off on August 5 at Stockport. The Gills have won all of those matches.

“With five wins out of five, it couldn’t have gone any better,” said the Gills boss after his team won at Crawley on Saturday to continue their 100% start.

“Let’s hope it continues.”

Four wins from four leave them top of League 2 and they’ve also knocked out Championship side Southampton in the Carabao Cup with a deserved victory at Priestfield.

Harris will now get the chance to have some extra time on the training ground before they go again on Saturday against winless Colchester United at Priestfield.

A midweek friendly will be a benefit for those who need extra minutes.

Harris said: “There will be some good minutes for some players, Macauley Bonne in particular, to play in that.”

Bonne joined after the start of the season and has made three substitute appearances.

“He needs to get up to speed,” Harris said. “He is getting better all the time but we need to get him there.

“We now have a free week to prepare for Colchester and we need a bit of squad balance, with lads working hard and some doing a little bit less at times as well.”

Left-back Max Clark was left out at Crawley but also needs some minutes to keep in shape.

Gillingham’s impressive defensive record has also left Conor Masterson with one brief appearance off the bench at Sutton so far. He will also benefit from a midweek run-out.