Gillingham assistant manager Paul Raynor is delighted with his side’s goalkeeping options following the additions of Aaron Chapman and Jamie Cumming.

After spending the majority of pre-season with no senior goalkeeper, the Gills signed free agent Aaron Chapman and then Jamie Cumming – on loan from Chelsea – in quick succession to boost an area of the team where they have had success in recent years.

After former number one Jack Bonham left for Championship side Stoke City and backup Sacha Bastien was released, the Gills were left searching for two stoppers, and Raynor believes it is important to have two players fighting for the jersey.

“We have had an excellent one in Jack Bonham for a couple of seasons and now we have got two good ones, which is great,” he said. “They will fight for the jersey and let the fight commence – they have both proved their worth.”

Chapman signed after leaving Peterborough United, where he had been number one under Raynor and manager Steve Evans during their time at London Road. He has impressed in the pre-season minutes he has gained so far and will provide stiff competition for 21-year-old Cumming.

After keeping 18 clean sheets on loan at Stevenage last season, Cumming makes the step up a level as he seeks to improve his game to fight for a future at European champions Chelsea.

He played an hour for the Gills against Millwall on Tuesday, keeping a clean sheet, and the Blues assistnat was impressed with what he saw.

“His distribution was good,” said Raynor. “He put a couple out for throw ins, but his all-round game was good, his communication was good, and he is a good, solid goalkeeper – but so is Chapman.

“It is good we can look behind us and say we have two number ones there, and let the fight commence.”

The new season kicks off in just over a week’s time and Gillingham almost have their squad settled ahead of the new campaign.

Perhaps still a little short on numbers, though, Raynor is expecting some more new faces through the door soon.

“The gaffer is working extremely hard, so let’s wait and see,” he said. “Watch this space, as they say.”

The Gills will be back in action on Saturday July 31 when they travel to Brisbane Road to take on Leyton Orient in their latest pre-season fixture.