Cody McDonald is back in the Gills starting line-up and believes it won’t be long before the goals arrive.

The 29-year-old striker started his first game this season for the Gills in last Saturday’s win over Doncaster.

McDonald’s start to the season was hampered by a knee injury picked up midway through the club’s pre-season training camp in France.

“It’s nice to back in among the lads while they are doing so well,” said last season’s leading scorer. I’ve been working hard on and off the pitch, doing a bit extra after training and in the gym but it is game-time I need.

“Fitness-wise, I feel good and that I can run around. I played 75 minutes last Saturday and felt all right but it’s just that sharpness in and around the area that maybe I am lacking.

“I come alive in the box, that’s my game, so maybe that is something I am missing at the moment. It is not too far away, though. It will just need a game or two to get into the swing of things.”

McDonald hit 18 goals for the Gills last season.

He said: “It would have been lovely to get the first one of this season on Saturday. I didn’t have any real clear-cut chances but I know that will come."

McDonald played 75 minutes in the win over Doncaster, following up from two substitute appearances.

He said: “I didn’t feel tired when I went off, it was a bit more precautionary from the manager.

“He is building me up step by step and I had played an hour for the reserves on the Wednesday. Fitness is good, it is just that match sharpness I need now and hopefully in the next few games that will start to come."