Skipper Doug Loft is confident Gillingham will be able to sustain their place in the League 1 promotion race.

The Gills are currently top of the pile and undefeated after seven games ahead of Saturday's trip to Colchester.

He said: “We have the players, the squad and the staff to stay in that position for the rest of the season, but I know it’s going to be hard.

“We will have to stick together. We will have our ups and downs but I think we are strong enough to be up there come the end of the season.

“I am 100% confident we can sustain it. People can see what the team has done in the opening games. There are battles for every position and I think we are strong. If one person goes out, another will come in and do an equally good job.

“It is a long season. It’s all right doing it for seven games but it’s harder doing it for 40-odd. We have to keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard day to day.”

Last Saturday’s narrow win over strugglers Blackpool was an indication of what the Gills are about this season.

Loft said: “You can play really well and win but it’s the games where you don’t play so well and win, they are the important ones that define your season.

“(Last) Saturday we started well but we probably didn’t play as well as we could but we won. Last season, especially at the beginning, we would not have done it.

“That is where we are improving as a team and I think we can kick on and do well in the future.”