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Gillingham to make up their mind over trialist striker Mikael Mandron

Trialist striker Mikael Mandron was involved again at the weekend as the Gills management continue to consider their options.

The 24-year-old former Colchester striker has been with Gillingham for much of pre-season, first making an appearance and scoring in the 4-0 win at Folkestone.

He played 90 minutes against Millwall on Sunday, scoring from the penalty spot in the 2-1 defeat. A decision on his Gills future is set to be made before the trip to Dover on Tuesday night.

Trialist striker Mikael Mandron scored from the penalty spot for Gillingham Picture: Ady Kerry
Trialist striker Mikael Mandron scored from the penalty spot for Gillingham Picture: Ady Kerry

Assistant manager Paul Raynor said: "I think a decision will be made (before Tuesday) because we need to be fair to Mika as well. He has his future to think about as well.

"If we are going to do something then we need to get cracking. That decision will be made within the next couple of days I would have thought."

He took part in the games against Charlton on Saturday, playing half an hour, and then completing 66 minutes in the Millwall match.

“He’s done okay and he is a handful,” said Raynor, when speaking after the Charlton win

“The good thing is he wants to come and he wants to be part of it. We will see whether anything comes from it.”

The Gills are certainly light in the attacking department but are working hard on bringing in reinforcements.

Mikael Mandron in action for Gillingham against Dartford Picture: Andy Jones
Mikael Mandron in action for Gillingham against Dartford Picture: Andy Jones

Raynor added: “We have only got two out and out strikers really.

“Mikael Ndjoli can play more wide and he is probably better from coming out wide. So really, as out and out strikers go, we have Brandon Hanlan.

"That’s obviously an area we are looking to improve on but getting the right one does take time.”

Speaking after the Folkestone win earlier this month, Gills boss Steve Evans confirmed that Mandron had other offers on the table from clubs in League 1. The forward is a free agent having left League 2 Colchester at the end of last season.

The Gills might be short of strikers but they haven’t been short of goalscorers.

Mikael Ndjoli has netted four goals for the Gills in pre-season Picture: Ady Kerry
Mikael Ndjoli has netted four goals for the Gills in pre-season Picture: Ady Kerry

Ndjoli is one of those, netting his fourth of the summer in the match against Charlton.

“He is a young boy and he will only get better,” Raynor said.

“His hold-up play and his decision making needs to be better at times. He is still raw but he has an eye for a goal, he has real pace and he wants to learn, which is great.”

Elliott List has also been in scoring form, netting the third goal against Charlton to follow up his cracking strike at Dartford in midweek.

“He is lightening and he is exciting,” Raynor said. “When he gets the ball you are expecting something to happen and it was a magnificent run and magnificent finish (against Charlton).

“If we can add that hard work defensively to it, then we might have a player on our hands. I am delighted with him.”

Read more: The latest sports news from Kent

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