Gillingham are closing in on signing an experienced goalkeeper.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth opted to release both of his senior stoppers at the end of last season.
Glenn Morris has found a new club after joining Dorking Wanderers, while Jake Turner is currently on the PFA’s training camp for free-agents.
Morris and Turner competed for the no.1 spot last season but Ainsworth says he wants a different set-up this time around, with a designated first-choice goalie and at least one young back-up.
Taite Holtam, 21, is the only pro keeper on the books at present but he’s highly inexperienced, with just two league appearances to his name.
Commenting on his chase for a keeper, Ainsworth said: “Fans can rest assured there’s definitely one in the pipeline.
“I do like my number one, and we’re working hard to get somebody with experience, somebody with a big presence.
“Without giving too much away, we’re well down the road now with somebody, and we’re really happy with that.
“I’ve got belief in this person, and I believe that he’s going to come in and make a big impact.
“I like my number one to come in and take that jersey and become that number one for Gillingham. That’s worked really well for me in the past, both at Wycombe and even QPR.
“There was somebody in there who knew it was the jersey that was his, and I like that.”
Ainsworth added: “We’ll definitely supplement him with a couple of prospects and good potentials.”
Gillingham’s players reported back for pre-season on Thursday – with Ainsworth taking a watching brief.
He said: “I don’t do much with the fitness side of things.
“I’m the one wanting them to run harder and be harder and perform better and lift better.
“They’re all under these regimes now and the whole banner of fitness coaches and sports scientists and that. They know what they’re doing.
“Back in the day, it was a lot different when I did pre-seasons, but I’ll be cracking the whip, making sure that they’re doing it right.”
