Chris Herd sees Championship potential in his new team-mates.

The former Aston Villa midfielder joined the Gills this week on a deal until the end of the season after leaving Perth Glory in his native Australia.

It was the chance to join a team that can go places that convinced him sign.

He said: “The group of players we have here are more than capable of going to the Championship. That really attracted me, along with the gaffer and Kers (David Kerslake).

“It’s a great set-up and I am pleased and grateful to be a part of the club.”

Herd has been capped by Australia four times and spent five years with Villa between 2010 and 2015, playing in the Premier League.

Several loan spells followed and he ended up at Chesterfield last season before heading back to Oz. But he was keen to return to England and when the Gills came calling he was only too happy to try and prove he was worthy of a contract. It took just a week to get a deal.

Herd said: “I knew Kers from my days at Wigan and he got in touch with me. I came down and trained and things worked for both sides. I came in on the Monday and ended up signing the following Monday.

“I feel I can bring a lot to the club. I am 27 now, with a bit of experience behind me, and it is a good, talented group of players that just need a win and just need to get back up there where we should be."

Herd played 60 minutes on Tuesday night against Millwall.