Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth hopes his new midfield signing could become the surprise package of League Two.
The Gills have added 20-year-old midfielder Zane Albarus to their squad this summer, bringing in a player who has yet to make a Football League appearance.
Albarus joined the Gills from Brighton & Hove Albion under-21s, signing an initial two-year contract after being released as a free agent.
With just a couple of EFL Trophy appearances to his name, Albarus has had little senior football, but Ainsworth was happy to give him the opportunity at Priestfield.
“We feel there’s huge potential in that boy,” said the Gills boss.
“Zane is full of energy, an absolute cracking lad, real down-to-earth, a genuine worker.
“I think he could be the surprise package in League Two and hopefully all these magazines, podcasts and websites will be talking about how he was the unknown who performed.”
Albarus will compete for a place in midfield alongside experienced players, and also homegrown talents such as Harry Waldock and Michael Luxton.
Nelson Khumbeni will hope to improve on a mixed first season with the Gills after making 22 appearances, most of them from the bench.
Ainsworth is also looking forward to seeing what Cameron Antwi can offer.
Antwi made just five appearances for the Gills after joining from Newport County before suffering a serious injury within weeks of arriving.
He is still recovering and Ainsworth hopes he will be back in full training soon.
“He’ll be a week behind everyone,” Ainsworth said.
“We made sure that when he got his ankle injury, we did everything he needed during the summer and he’s desperate to come back and show what he can do, so he’ll be like having a new signing.
“He only played 60 or 70 minutes for me.
“Cameron’s a really great lad. He finds a pass and can pick a lock. I think that with the runners we’ll have in front of him, and with the options we’ll hopefully have, he can unlock defences and put people through.”
Ainsworth also confirmed that midfielder Ethan Coleman and defender Omar Beckles have both reported back for pre-season fit after missing the end of last season through injury.
