Gillingham’s players reported back for training this week but manager Neil Harris is far from finished with his summer recruitment.

Three new faces have arrived since the end of last season - as of yesterday - but Harris is looking for up to 10 more to be added before the transfer window closes.

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The boss has had to be patient to get deals over the line.

“I am really pleased with the three lads we have brought in and their characteristics,” he said. “I have to be really pleased with that but we do have a fair few more to do and I always want more.

“We are working tirelessly all days behind the scenes to try and get a few more in as quickly as possible. We have good days and bad days, some days where we have real breakthroughs and really positive conversations with clubs, agents and players and then days where deals don’t materialise.

“It’s work in progress and more to come. As always I want to get the right characters, the right players.

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“I can’t control the market and where we are at financially within that market, all I can do is endeavour to get the best players and the best characters that I feel give Gillingham Football Club the best opportunity of being a top-seven side in League 2 this season.

“I have to be patient and there is a delicate balance between being patient and taking gambles on players. I have to find that balance.

“I know we will put a group of players together that the fans will be proud of and enjoy watching. I would like that group ready today but it’s not and if it takes all the way up to the end of the transfer window (on Thursday, September 1), which I am sure it will do, to get the group to where I want it, then so be it.”