Gillingham midfielder Robbie McKenzie on extending his contract at the club and looking ahead to Cheltenham Town on Friday

Gillingham midfielder Robbie McKenzie wants to extend his stay at the club and says discussions have already started.

McKenzie’s approaching the end of his fifth season at the Gills and is close to making 100 league appearances for the club.

The 26-year-old has been a regular starter under new boss Gareth Ainsworth and wants to help in a renewed push for success next season.

“I'd stay at Gills, yeah, no problem,” McKenzie said when asked about a potential new deal.

“We'll see what happens over the summer. Obviously, there's negotiations to be done at that point.

“I feel like the club's heading in the right direction now and hopefully the fans stay with us and next season will be positive for the club.”

McKenzie was asked if discussions had been started already.

“Slightly, yeah,” he said. “That's going on behind the scenes so we'll just let that be and play the football.”

His comments come after Bradley Dack also spo about his desire to secure a new deal with the Gills.

McKenzie first joined the Gills in the summer of 2020, with the team then playing League 1 football. There’s been a relegation to endure, a battle to avoid dropping into non-league and a couple of seasons where the pre-season promise hasn’t been met.

“I've been here that long, I understand the club,” he said.

“I understand what the fans expect from the team and when you've been here this long, you feel a good way towards the club, and it feels like it means something to you.”

There’s plenty of positivity under Ainsworth and hope for better times ahead.

“He's just a positive person,” said the midfielder.

“It's just the environment that he's brought to the club that's really positive.”

A stunning goal at Walsall was a highlight this season for the