Tyreke Johnson looked more like the player Gillingham manager Steve Evans was hoping to see when he signed him from Southampton.

Evans, who brought Johnson to the club in early January, admits the young winger hadn’t been himself for a few days - having looked the part on his debut - but the 22-year-old was back on it after coming off the bench at Sunderland.

“He has been more like himself in the last few days,” said Evans, following the 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.

“I thought he was the best player against Burton on his debut, then he got left out and he came off the bench in another game against Rochdale and he was poor.

“He had been poor for a couple of days in training but the kid is settling, he is young and he has all the ability in the world.”

Johnson made his loan move to the Gills permanent shortly after arriving as both player and club assessed each other. He started against Burton shortly after arriving and has now also had two substitute appearances.

He’s hoping to impress in the second half of this campaign to earn himself a longer deal at the club.

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