Gillingham start their pre-season matches at Faversham on Friday night.

Head coach Ady Pennock will split his squad to give players 45 minutes of action only.

“It will be a good workout and it’s about fitness for the players,” said Pennock.

“Faversham will be two teams of 45 minutes for each side.”

It is a chance for Gills fans to see their five summer signings for the first time – although striker Conor Wilkinson may not feature.

The forward only linked up with the squad this week and, having completed just one training session with Bolton prior to moving to Priestfield, he is behind his team-mates fitness-wise.

“He is not up to speed with the others so we’ve got to be sensible,” added Pennock.

Defender Bradley Garmston, who missed much of last season through injury, will feature along with transfer-listed keeper Stuart Nelson.

Pennock is pleased with Gillingham’s work in pre-season so far, which started with a week-long trip to Northern Ireland.

“Ireland was very good. It was exactly what I wanted to get out of it,” said Pennock.

“It was a proper week together, the squad bonded and worked very hard.

“There were three sessions a day, the first one at 7am. It was about getting that mileage into the legs.

“You need that base when you are doing a tough season of hopefully 50-plus games – it’s a case of needing that.”

Kick-off at Salters Lane is 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £6 for over-60s and youths, and £3 for under-11s.