Luke Norris has helped Gills get over the loss of Adebayo Akinfenwa.

The summer signing from Brentford is a serious contender to be a first-choice striker at Gillingham.

Fit-again Danny Kedwell and last season’s top scorer Cody McDonald may be the obvious partnership when the League 1 campaign starts at MK Dons on August 9 but rookie Norris, who has made only 24 league starts, is in boss Peter Taylor’s thoughts.

Taylor said: “I’m pleased with Luke. I’m getting to know him as a player and personally and he will score goals.

“Fans can presume what they want but there’s no way it’s just about McDonald and Kedwell – absolutely no way.

“We have more competition this season. I thought Antonio German did well at Bromley on Tuesday and Brennan Dickenson can also play up front.

“I always said I wanted something a bit different when Bayo left and Luke is different.

“I didn’t feel you could have Bayo and Danny in the same side but Luke can play with anyone and gives us more options.”