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Pre-season woes haven't slowed Gillingham striker Tom Eaves

The hard work is paying off for Tom Eaves.

It’s three league goals in three appearances now for last season’s leading scorer.

Eaves was a doubt for the start of this season, after barely playing during pre-season because of injury, but the goals have continued to flow.

Gillingham striker Tom Eaves Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham striker Tom Eaves Picture: Ady Kerry

He said: “Gaz the physio and James (the Russell, fitness coach) had me in the altitude chamber when I was injured and they put me through a lot of pain. I mentioned it on twitter and I think James was enjoying it too much!

“There has been a lot of effort and when I got the chance I just touched the ball as much as possible because at the end of the day we are footballers, not cyclists. Repetition for me was key and I feel good.

“I still feel there is more to come, more goals and more performances. It is about keeping standards high.”

Eaves got 18 goals last season, finishing the previous campaign with a hat-trick. He got two goals against Burton last weekend and headed home in stoppage time against Walsall on Saturday.

“I am pleased,” he said. “A striker is judged on goals, it doesn’t matter how well or poor you play, at the end of the day a lot of people just look at the scoresheet. From a selfish note that is pleasing.

“The target is to beat last season, hopefully go over 20 if I can. It’s a good start so far, let’s start how we mean to go on.”

The next challenge now is Sunderland at home on Wednesday.

“It’s a massive, massive club coming down and it’s one we are going to enjoy,” said the striker,

“There will be some reflection on the game (against Walsall), we have to reflect on mistakes made and how we started the game, but overall we just have to get on with it, it’s a long season.

“We shouldn’t let this (defeat) cloud what a good start we have had, every team has a hiccup, we will show how much character we have got by bouncing back from it. Hopefully we will do that on Wednesday.”

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