Gillingham manager Neil Harris names youth player Josh Chambers in the senior squad for the first time

Josh Chambers became the fifth youth player to be involved in a Gillingham first team squad on Tuesday.

The attacking midfielder - a second year scholar - was an unused substitute in Gills’ 1-0 win over Cambridge United. It was the first time he has been named in a squad.

Chambers follows goalkeeper Tom Crump, defenders Bailey Akehurst and Sam Gale and striker Joseph Gbode in being called up from the youth ranks for senior duty this season.

First team boss Neil Harris wants the club’s academy to work closer with the first team and so when he had a place spare on the bench, he naturally turned to the youngsters.

He said: “If I am going to try and help build the academy and make sure the academy has a future at this football club and around my first team then when the opportunities come the youngsters will be involved.

“They will only play when they are ready, within reason, they will have to earn the right to play and to earn the right to train with the squad.

"I have had great reports about Josh, he has trained with us the last couple of days and done really well and that is the opportunity they are going to get now.

“Myself and the owner would like nothing more than to see Josh Chambers playing in the future. Those opportunities will be there and we have such a light squad and with injuries then I will include them. It is vital we produce our own players.”