Gillingham’s returning player Robbie McKenzie is confident they can still have success this season.

McKenzie was back in a Gills shirt at Grimsby Town on Tuesday night, helping them to a 1-1 draw. It was his first appearance since re-signing for the club on deadline day.

• More: Harris prepared for toughest test yet

Gillingham host Mansfield Town today sitting 22nd in League 2, with just one win and two goals scored in their opening eight games.

For McKenzie, there is still plenty to play for, saying: “It was good to get back out there, with a few familiar faces and also some new ones but I think we’ve got a good group together this year and I feel we can still do something good.

“Look at Bristol Rovers last year, they were bottom of the league and got promoted, never say never.

“I feel like it can take time for a group to get to know each other, on and off the pitch, I feel we are starting to click on the pitch. On Tuesday night we had two goals disallowed so we are obviously making chances, it is about taking them and kicking on.

“I am here to do well this season and hopefully get the team back up where they belong."

McKenzie needed a few training sessions at Beechings Cross to get up to speed but played the full game against Grimsby as he slotted back into the right side of defence.

He was grateful to his former club Hull City - where he started his career - for giving him the chance to train there over the summer to keep in top condition.

McKenzie said: “I was with the Hull City under-21s, where I came through, an old coach helped me out, he said I could go in and train and stay fit, I am grateful to that from them.

“They helped me out a lot, I couldn’t say a bad word about them.”

A contract offer was on the table from the Gills since the end of last season but it appeared that he would be moving elsewhere. Manager Neil Harris focused on other targets but as the weeks went by and the season started, nothing materialsed for the 23-year-old.

The Gills would have been entitled to compensation had he joined another team. In the end, with the summer transfer window about the close, he decided to return.

He said: “Me and the gaffer have always had a good relationship since he came in, we can always be honest and open with each other, which is always a good start.

“He saw it from my eyes as well, as a footballer you want to play at the highest level possible, him supporting me was fine, he came back and it was the right thing for me.

“My family won’t be ale to watch as many games (in person) but they can watch on ifollow and they have been very supportive, no matter what I was choosing to do, they backed me either way.”

The Gills fans had been hoping for a striker on deadline day but it wasn’t to be, as Portsmouth loan defender Haji Mnoga and McKenzie deals were announced.

But having been awarded the players’ player award last season, fans recognised that the deal to bring McKenzie back was a positive one.

“I had other options but I felt coming back here was the right thing to do,” he said.

“All the reaction on social media was positive, it is always nice to see, it gives you confidence and it will be good to be back at Priestfield.

“I didn’t know what to expect (from the fans), at first I didn’t want to look (on social media), incase it was negative, but after a few positive ones it was nice to see. It made coming back a bit easier.

“I have slotted back in, like I had never left.”