Josh Parker is ready to take his game to the next level.

Last season was the Gillingham striker's first full campaign since a contract dispute at former club Red Star left him sidelined for 18 months.

It was a season where he scored 12 goals, and assisted another half dozen, leaving him feeling back on track.

He said: “I had 18 months out of football prior to joining Gillingham, with the whole Red Star situation. When I came here in February I was just getting my fitness and the season stopped.

“My best games were towards the end of that season.

“Last season here was a step back into the routine and I was happy with getting 12 goals and five or six assists. It was about getting myself back into the swing of it.

“I went from zero games for 16 or 17 months to playing close to 50 games and it does take a toll on your body. You need to get used to that routine again and so I was happy that I played a part in 18 goals and that's all I can ask for. It was about getting the foundations last year and in my head I am looking to kick on.”

Parker made a good start to the new campaign, heading home Gills’ second goal at Accrington last weekend.

The goalscorer said: “I am my own worst critic and even on Saturday people said I played well but I think I played about 50% of what I can do. I like to think I can have a huge impact in games.

“It is about getting that consistency in doing it no matter who you are playing, what formations you are playing and the different types of players you are up against. It is about figuring out your way around it and I think I'm smart enough now to be able to do that.”

Read more from Josh Parker in this week's Medway Messenger newspaper