Gillingham’s squad is set to be streamlined next season, with no room for hangers-on.

Chairman Paul Scally believes the club can save around £400,000 this season by eliminating senior players who have no chance of making the first team squad.

Last week the Gills completed the signing of former Newport full-back Ryan Jackson and more new faces are on the way to help reinforce the first team.

Mr Scally said: “We had a lot of players last year that weren’t ever going to get anywhere near the first team. When you look at the wage bill for those players and add things like national insurance on you are probably talking £400,000.

“If you can eliminate that and use the money in the budget spent between less players then you’ve got the basis for a team, where you can bring in loan signings as and when needed, if appropriate.

“We are looking at a smaller squad that are all capable of playing in the first team, as appose to real outsiders that weren’t.

“That is why recruitment is so essential to what we want to try and achieve for next season.

“We are looking at athletes with power and pace. That is essential to any team. If you have that you can achieve a lot in this division.”

Read the full story in Monday's Medway Messenger