Gillingham's George Lapslie on life after Mansfield and a reunion with former Charlton coach Johnnie Jackson as AFC Wimbledon head to Priestfield

George Lapslie has added a goal threat to Gillingham from midfield and on Saturday comes up against a manager who helped develop that killer instinct.

Lapslie - who has scored two goals in two starts for the Gills - worked closely with visiting AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson when the pair were together at Charlton. The midfielder progressed through the youth ranks with the Addicks before playing in their first team and moving onto Mansfield in 2021.

“I love Jacko - he’s a great guy,” said 25-year-old Lapslie. "It will be nice to see him!

“He gave me a lot of time when I was at Charlton, I spent a lot of time with him, working on arriving late in the box because that is what he did in his career.

"He will probably be hoping I can’t get on the end of one on Saturday, but we will see."

Lapslie’s first experience at Priestfield was for Charlton, winning twice. He was back with Mansfield earlier this season and enjoyed another win.

The two games he’s played for Gills at ME7 have also seen him enjoy victory. He’ll be hoping that good run continues this week - as the Dons’ weekend visit is followed by Bradford City on Tuesday.

“Maybe it is a good stadium for me,” he said. “Every time I have been here as a player I have won so it’s a good place for me so far.”

Gills fans have certainly preferred seeing him perform for them at Priestfield.

“When the fans are behind you here they drive you on and it makes a massive difference,” he said.

Lapslie moved to the Gills in mid-January, leaving a club pushing for promotion in League 2 to join one battling against the drop - but the player had much to consider.

Moving back closer to his family in Brentwood was key, as was a two-and-a-half year deal put to him by the Gills. He was out