Gillingham manager Neil Harris preparing to take on the League 2 title favourites Stockport County this Saturday

Gillingham manager Neil Harris believes opening-game opponents Stockport County are the title favourites in League 2.

Beaten in the Play-off Final last season, Stockport have strengthened over the summer, adding Championship-class players in the likes of Nick Powell (ex-Manchester United and Stoke) and Billy Chadwick (Hull City), along with England youth international forward Louie Barry on loan from Aston Villa and Salford captain Ibou Touray.

While many pundits are backing the Gills to do well, after they too have strengthened with some quality addition, it’s Stockport who go into the new season as the bookies’ favourites. They are Harris’ top pick too.

He said: “We’re playing against, in my opinion, the league favourites.

“It’s the first game of the season, away from home, in front of probably 10,000 people at Edgeley Park. It’s the toughest game we could’ve had on the opening day of the season, but it’s a great one for us.”

The Gills rounded off pre-season with an eye-opener at League 1 Cambridge last week, losing 4-0, and a 1-0 win at National League Dagenham on Saturday.

Defenders Conor Masterson, Max Clark, Shad Ogie and Scott Malone have strengthened the back-line for the Gills, former Welsh international Jonny Williams is a top addition in midfield while Ashley Nadesan has given the forward line more pace and variety.

The Gills are expected to add another striker, and a winger, to the mix before the transfer window closes at the end of this month. Former Charlton, Ipswich and QPR front-man Macauley Bonne has been rumoured to be joining.

Harris certainly has a bigger and improved squad and he’ll be utilising that strength straight away after picking up a host of injuries in the latter part of pre-season.

Striker