The choice for Gillingham’s next captain is down to two candidates.

Newcomer Kyle Dempsey and last summer’s addition Stuart O’Keefe are the players manager Steve Evans says could wear the armband for the 2020/21 season.

The Gills are in need of a new captain following Max Ehmer’s decision to sign for League 1 rivals Bristol Rovers .

O’Keefe made 35 appearances for the Gills under Evans last season while Dempsey has been brought in following his Fleetwood Town exit. He was previously signed on loan by Evans in January 2019 while manager of Peterborough United, shortly before his dismissal from the London Road club.

Evans confirmed the captaincy was between the two players, saying: “The captain will be in place for Hull City (Gills' first league game a week Saturday) and there are two contenders, Stuart O’Keefe and Kyle Dempsey.

"We have spoken to both lads, both say they are up for it and both want to support each other in it.”

Dempsey was named as Gills skipper for their final game of pre-season, away to Leyton Orient. The new signing brings creativity to the midfield department, something assistant boss Paul Raynor thinks was missing last season.

Speaking after their recent pre-season game against Watford, he said: “We were very workmanlike, hard to beat last year but probably drew too many games, so we needed a little bit more creativity in the middle of the park, allied to that work ethic.

“We think Kyle will bring us both that and the creativity and chip in with a few as well.”

He has certainly been impressive in training, treating fans to some glimpses of what he can do, shown by the club on their twitter account.

O’Keefe was a regular starter last season, joining the Gills following his release by Cardiff City.

Read more on the Gills