Gillingham midfielder Jonny Williams looks forward to playing some pre-season games with Dover Athletic first up and Reading heading to Priestfield on Saturday

Gillingham get their pre-season games under way this week and midfield man Jonny Williams can’t wait to get going.

The Gills spent last week getting plenty of fitness work into their bodies, and they take their preparations up a level now, with games against Dover Athletic on Tuesday night and then League 1 Reading heading at Priestfield this coming Saturday.

Williams got plenty of game-time under manager Gareth Ainsworth at the back end of last season and hopes to be an integral part of things for the new campaign ahead.

“There’s been a real sense of excitement to be back,” said the 31-year-old after an intensive first full week.

“The first week is always a happy week, full of a lot of running, hard work, resilience, a lot of mental strength and pulling each other along, and it’s usually the hardest week, before the games kick in.

“The boys have come back in good shape, and it’s been fun. Good banter and a real feel-good feeling, and we’re excited to get the games under way now.

“In the modern day, you have to come back in good shape, you stay fit off-season and then get even fitter. Before, it was that you would rest, lose fitness, and use pre-season to get fit.

“When the games come it’s about match fitness and the gaffer’s big on that, we’re going to get fit in games and work hard, in training as well, but when the games come that’s where you really get your match fitness and match sharpness.

“We have got a lot of games, that will be great and hopefully we can get through them with as many bodies as we can ready for that first game of the season.”

The Gills make their regular pre-season visit to Crabble on Tuesday as their first outing of the summer.

Dover are back in the National South this season after bouncing