Darren Oldaker could be Gillingham’s next big thing.

The teenager was back on the bench for the Gills on Saturday as they faced Chesterfield in League 1.

Boss Justin Edinburgh has made a habit of progressing the careers of promising teenagers.

Edinburgh helped turn postman Conor Washington into a player who would eventually make a multi-million pound switch from Peterborough to QPR.

The deal saw Edinburgh’s former club Newport cash in to the tune of around £1m, thanks to a lucrative sell-on fee.

Edinburgh also handed teenager Regan Poole his first taste of senior football at the age of 16. He was on the bench for Manchester United’s FA Cup fifth round tie
at Shrewsbury Town last week.

Teenagers Elliott List and Mitchell Dickenson have been in and around Gills’ first team squad recently but Oldaker – nicknamed DJ – could be making his mark soon.

“If they are good enough, they are old enough and age is no concern to me,” said Edinburgh.

“We have got a good, young player here in Darren Oldaker. He has been on the bench a few times and is pushing hard.

“His performances in the youth team and the development team have been good and he is in and around the squad.”

While the Gills are chasing promotion Oldaker may have to wait but not for long, it seems.

Edinburgh said: “He is one we will look at and come pre-season he will be pushing to force his way into the team.

“He is more than capable of playing first-team football. For someone to be in the first year of leaving school and to be pushing, training well and looking comfortable in the first team group, I think it speaks volumes.”