New Gillingham striker Charlie Kelman is Rooney-like says team-mate Alex MacDonald.

QPR loan signing Kelman has impressed with a couple of lively performances so far and MacDonald is glad they’ve got someone in who can do a job upfront.

“He’s a great signing,” said MacDonald, who has played alongside the new boy in both of the last two games.

“He is a bit more mature than his age suggests, he is that Rooney-type figure, he has certainly settled in really well, as have all the signings. We try and make them feel part of it, the group is tight-knit.

“I told him from day one when he walked in (of the similarities with former England international Wayne Rooney). I said I had heard a lot about him, that he was more of an old school no.9 type player and they are hard to come by in this day of age.

“He has started really well but he is still young and if myself or any of the other older lads can help him then we certainly will.”

MacDonald missed the start of the season with injury, following a pre-season that was disrupted by the squad’s Covid-enforced break. He was hit by the virus himself too.

The midfielder is back fit and raring to go, featuring in the last two games where the Gills beat Colchester United in the EFL Trophy and drew with Burton Albion in their weekend league game.

He said: “It has been stop start for me, but I am fully fit now, and I am looking forward to helping this team push forward.

“I finished last season strongly, I had a run of games, was finding form, the team was doing well and we were close to getting to where we wanted to. I was looking to pick up where I left off. I came back fit and looking forward to kicking on.

“We had a lot of injuries and people missing (at the start of the season), but that is behind us, we have a near enough clean bill of health.

“I want to be part of a group of men who are giving everything for the jersey and we just want to build on last year now.”

More on the Gills;

Gillingham could feature in TV comedy show

Fully focused: Defender ignores transfer talk