Steve Lovell says new signings Dean Parrett and Regan Charles-Cook tick all the right boxes.

The midfield duo are Lovell's first signings of the summer and the Gills boss says their attitude is spot on.

Lovell said: “You want to sign players that are football motivated, that is the big thing, it's a massive issue with us here and I have always been like that.

“We will sign players that want to play football, who enjoy their football and live for it. These two definitely do that.”

Parrett, 26, signed after rejecting a deal with Gills’ League 1 rivals AFC Wimbledon while 21-year-old Charles-Cook moves from Charlton. Both will bring energy and creation to the midfield.

Of Parrett Lovell added: “He is a young man who has his sights on playing higher and hopefully with us. That is the way we want players to perceive playing at this football club. We want success this year and he is desperate for that to happen.

“He is a very clever player, very mobile, gets around the pitch and competes in a number of positions in that midfield area.”

Charles-Cook has recently enjoyed loan spells with National League sides Solihull Moors and Woking and comes to the Gills hoping to progress, having had limited opportunities at The Valley.

Lovell has already worked with the player as a youngster at Charlton.

“The good thing about him is his attitude,” said the Gills boss. “It's second to none, he loves his football, he lives and breathes it. He was so excited when I met him and he can't wait for the season to start.

“We will bring the best out of him.”

Lovell is still in talks with other potential targets.

He said: “I am glad I have done the two boys that I have, they are good midfield players. We let a couple of midfielders go, so it’s good that they have been replaced right away, those two were important for me to get done.

“There will be some (more) new faces, but it's more of a waiting game now.

“I want to get what we need to get done, maybe and hopefully before we start pre-season training, rather than halfway through, but if it has to be it has to be.

“We are getting a really good squad together now for us to have a really good go next campaign.”