Lee Martin is the best midfielder in League 1, according to Gillingham manager Steve Lovell.

The Gills boss heaped more praise on his inspirational 30-year-old captain after another stunning display in the 2-1 win over Fleetwood on Saturday.

“I don’t think you’ll get a better player than him, I really don’t,” said Lovell. “I’m so lucky to have him. His energy levels, his organisation skills, his leadership and on the ball he was fantastic.

“People have had a pop at him in the past about his quality on the ball but players are going to have off-days.

“The good things that he does, they are way beyond the little bad things that people see. He is a great club captain.

“I’ve always said that about Lee Martin and I thought he was outstanding. He leads by example and people look up to him.”

Martin has featured 28 times for the Gills this season after missing most of the previous campaign with a broken ankle.

The Gills boss felt his team dominated in midfield against Fleetwood with the on-loan Callum Reilly, Jake Hessenthaler and Mark Byrne all impressing.

“It was a horrendous injury that he (Martin) had,” added Lovell. “For him to come back from that to the level he is now as quickly as that is outstanding.”

“The midfield were fantastic, all of them. That four, they call it the engine room and it has been since I’ve been here.”