Manager Steve Lovell believes Gillingham’s young forward Elliott List is ready to flourish.

List agreed a new two-year deal a fortnight ago and will be heading into the new season with plenty of confidence.

The 21-year-old had waited 50-odd games for a goal and then finished the season with two in two.

Lovell said: “Goals help without a doubt and that first goal against Bristol Rovers was so important for him.

“You could see when he went through against Plymouth on the last game of the season he didn't have to think, it was a great finish.

“It was such a weight off his shoulders. When you go six or seven games without a goal and you get one it is fantastic, but to score your first goal for the club and then get another one, Elliott will be flying.

“He will be really looking forward to coming back and carrying on where he left off.

“I know what Elliott can do with his pace and in that first game (of Lovell’s tenure) against Peterborough in the first half he tore them to shreds. He should have scored three goals and caused them so many problems. He did the same against Wigan.

“It is not just potential, he has got it already. It just has to come out.”

Lovell played List up front in those first few games in charge and believes that is where they get the best out of him, playing off another striker.

He said: “He did really well without scoring and it was a big thing for him, not getting a goal, it didn't do him any favours.

"He came out of the side and then struggled to get back in it.

“When he went back in those last couple of games of the season he showed what he can do.

“I think of him more as a forward than a wide player. He can play out wide and that is an option for us but I think that when he plays off a big man up front he is a threat because of his pace and strength and he is not bad in the air as well.”

Gills boss Lovell also confirmed Gabriel Zakuani’s new deal is for two years, taking the 32-year-old through to the end of the 2019/20 season.