It’s a big season ahead for Gillingham’s second year pros.

Boss Steve Lovell wants them all fighting for first-team places.

Noel Mbo was the first to pen a new deal, on Thursday, and the others are set to follow.

Defenders Finn O’Mara and Aaron Simpson, along with midfielders Ben Chapman and Bradley Stevenson have all been offered extended deals.

Lovell said: “There are some talented second year pros and hopefully they will push forward. It is a big time for them.

“The first year you come in, it is tough, coming from youth team football. Sometimes you can dismiss them after the first year because they haven't done what you have asked them to do.

“They are talented boys and I am hoping they all come through and have a go, but they need to push on, this is a good opportunity for them.”

Darren Oldaker is another of the teenagers to have been offered a new deal. He will be entering his third season as a pro after stepping up from the youth team at an early age.

Lovell doesn’t want to discount anyone too early, highlighting the time it took Bradley Dack to flourish once he signs pro terms.

The manager said: “(Oldaker) has made an impact, they have all made a little bit of an impact. Bradley Dack didn't come through until his second pro year, he wasn't really in the picture before that.

“That is the kind of benchmark that you have for these boys.

“They are here because they have ability and they are good pros. They have good discipline and they have a chance of playing League 1 football, otherwise we wouldn't have taken them on again.”

Lovell insists they will have as good an opportunity as anyone else in the squad next season.

He said: “They will be in the same position as the experienced professionals, they will be fighting for a first team place and hopefully two or three of them, or even all of them, will come through, you never know.”