Barry Fuller hasn’t returned to Gillingham just to make up the numbers, insists boss Steve Lovell.

The 33-year-old defender, who captained the Gills to promotion from League 2 back in 2009, has rejoined the club on a one-year deal.

He became a free agent after ending a five year spell with AFC Wimbledon, where he also captained them to Wembley success in the League 2 play-offs.

That experience and know-how is just what Lovell wanted to give his current full-backs added competition.

Lovell said: “It is all about character and professionalism and wanting to do it. At his age he is still wanting to play football, he hasn’t come to sit and watch a game on a Saturday.

“He wants to get himself in the team. That will push Luke O’Neill and Bradley Garmston and Aaron Simpson on, to fight for a place.

“He has come in to start. If he starts then it will be tough on Luke but he needs someone to push him, last year he didn’t have anyone but Luke had a good season.”

Fuller made 137 league appearances for the Gills between January 2008 and the end of the 2011/12 campaign, with his time at the club ending after following a career-threatening knee injury.

Despite the set-back, Fuller returned for a season at Barnet and then played over 200 games for Wimbledon, leaving there at the end of last season.

Lovell is delighted to have got the chance to bring him back.

“He will be a great character around the club and not only that, he is a great player," said the manager.

"He is one of our most experienced players and one of the fittest at the club. He is a leader, he is respected in the game and I am glad we have him onboard, pushing for that first team place come August 4.”

*The Gills have also confirmed that 19-year-old midfielder Darren Oldaker has completed the formalities on a new one year deal, after they took up the option of extending his stay.