Gillingham boss Peter Taylor has praised the qualities of central defender John Egan.

The 21-year-old clinched the man-of-the-match award on Saturday as the Gills drew 0-0 with Walsall at Priestfield. It was Gillingham’s fourth clean sheet of the season.

Taylor said: “He looks a good player for us and people don’t know what a solid lad he is, which is even better.

“He knows his stuff and he is a real honest player who wants to keep improving. He is a captain-like (figure), he is a leader.”

Egan has been partnered with fellow youngster Kortney Hause at the back this season.

“The two centre-halves are working hard together and working well,” said Taylor, who made improving the defence a key area over the summer.

“For (a partnership that is) so young and so new together, that is good. Joe Martin and Aaron Morris both worked exceptionally hard (on Saturday) with Stephen Bywater to help make it a clean sheet but, of course, everyone contributes.”

Egan arrived on a free transfer after being released by Premier League Sunderland.

“His head is organised and he made his mind up that he wanted to go somewhere where he knew he was going to play,” added Taylor.

Read the full story in Monday's Medway Messenger