By Alex Gethin

Gillingham captain Stuart O'Keefe has been impressed by the progress of the club's youth players.

O'Keefe gave his opinion on the youth team players making the step up to senior football in pre-season.

"The young boys have done really well so far," he said.

"They're growing as players and getting more confident each day. They've taken to the advice from senior players really well and days like Saturday will stand them in good stead for the future."

The former Crystal Palace man also had his say on Gillingham's new additions, in particular experienced ex-Millwall midfielder Shaun Williams.

He said: "Shaun's a great lad, he's really experienced which will obviously help the younger lads develop and grow. I think he'll be a great addition to the squad."

O'Keefe has been a professional footballer for 14 years and has become used to a gruelling pre-season and understands it's importance.

"It's been a good end to a good week," added the midfielder. "We've only been back for 10 or 11 days so it was good to come through it and get 45 minutes in the legs."

"Pre-season is always a hard slog, as it should be, but everyone is hitting their targets in terms of fitness, which is good. It's all about not getting injured and building up to the opening game at Wimbledon.

"Next week will be more of the same as we prepare for another tough game on Saturday [against Dover]."