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Andy Hessenthaler keeps his Gillingham players guessing over who starts their League 2 opener with Cheltenham Town

Andy Hessenthaler against Northampton
Andy Hessenthaler against Northampton

Gillingham are a week away from the start of their League 2 campaign but manager Andy Hessenthaler is trying to keep his team guessing about a possible starting line-up.

The Gills wrap up their pre-season campaign with a visit from Peterborough tomorrow (Saturday) and a trip to Ebbsfleet on Monday night.

Hessenthaler (pictured) has a 27-man squad and wants them all on their toes ahead of next weekend’s League 2 season opener against Cheltenham.

"We are looking fit and strong now and it’s making it difficult for me to find that starting XI come August 6," said Hessenthaler.

"The players have to be kept hungry right until the last minute and if you start showing your hand too early, all of a sudden you might start losing a few players. They could be down in the dumps if they aren’t in the side.

"The dressing room is positive and it’s going to be my job to blend that good squad of players together and pick a team which is going to win the first game."

Hessenthaler has several young squad members he plans to send out on loan and knows he can’t keep everyone happy. He said: "There will be disappointed players sitting in the stands.

"But we learned from last year, the team I pick in the first match could be totally different to the one which plays the week after, or two weeks down the line, when you pick up injuries and have to change things around.

"The important thing is we pick the right team and get off to a start. The team will then hopefully pick itself as they are performing."

Who would be in your starting eleven next weekend? Comment below.

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