The opportunity to compete for a World Cup place is one new Gillingham defender Gabriel Zakuani could not turn down.

Zakuani signed on the condition he would be able to help his national side try and win a place at the World Cup - for the first time since 1974 - in Russia next summer.

It means the former Peterborough man, who captains the Democratic Republic of Congo, will miss a handful of games for the Gills.

Hopes of winning a spot in Russia look set to rest on a double-header against Tunisia at the end of August. Both sides have won their opening two games and only the group winners qualify.

The Kinshasa-born defender said: “For me it is the same as others here who would want to play for England.

“I want to play for my country but I do know that it does interfere with teams in League 1 because we don’t get the international breaks. I understand that.

“That is why with Gillingham we have discussed that there are some games I won’t take part in. The World Cup ones are the ones that do interest me. I am sure everyone would want the opportunity to play in the World Cup.”

Zakuani has seen international action over the summer, which has also helped with rehabilitation from a hamstring injury that kept him out towards the end of last season.

One of those summer games was against rivals Congo.

“It’s a very passionate derby,” said the 31-year-old, who has got used to playing in front of crowds in excess of 90,000.

“When you can master playing in front of those sorts of crowds, you don’t get intimidated."

Read the full interview in Thursday's Medway Messenger.