League 1 side Reading are heading to Priestfield in July to face Gareth Ainsworth’s Gillingham side in a pre-season friendly

Gillingham will welcome League 1 opposition to Priestfield in July as their pre-season starts to take shape.

The players are due back in late June and boss Gareth Ainsworth has lined up a number of summer friendlies - with plenty of local opposition.

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Heading to Priestfield on Saturday, July 12, however, are League 1 side Reading.

The Royal finished just outside of the play-off places this season.

Prior to that match, the Gills will be heading to Crabble for a friendly against Dover Athletic on Tuesday, July 8.

Ebbsfleet United are hosting the Gills on Tuesday, July 22 and Ainsworth’s men will also take on Ady Pennock’s Dartford on Saturday, July 26.

Gills XI fixtures have also been arranged against FA Vase winners Whitstable Town (Friday, July 11), Deal Town (Tuesday, July 15), Sheppey United (Friday, July 18) and Chatham Town (Friday, July 25).

More games are set to be announced in the coming days.

The new League 2 season gets under way on the weekend of Saturday, August 2 with fixtures released on Thursday, June 26.