Teenage midfielder Darren Oldaker is a “star in the making” according to Gills boss Justin Edinburgh.

The 17-year-old signed his first professional contract with the Gills this summer after impressing during the last year.

He has yet to make his first-team debut but it won’t be far off.

Gillingham manager Edinburgh said: “You never want to put unnecessary pressure on young players but I really do feel that he is a star in the making.

“His maturity has shown and maybe had it been a different season, had we not been as good as we were, he might have forced his way in. But he has certainly been excellent.

“He has trained with us consistently since Christmas time. He has a good future and I look forward to getting him involved next season.”

Oldaker was a regular on the Gills bench last season, making it into the first team squad for the first time aged 16.

His impressive performances in the youth team from midfield stood out and he was quickly promoted.

Edinburgh said: “He takes real good care of the ball, has great ball retention, can pick a pass and has great vision.

“He is mobile, he can get around the pitch, he is tenacious enough and he fits the modern-day game.”