Jepson Cagey Over Lomas Link

Former QPR midfielder Steve Lomas could be the next new face to arrive at Priestfield after being spotted at the club earlier in the week.

Reports in the Medway News suggest that the 33-year-old Northern Irishman was in Kent for talks on Wednesday, but Gills boss Ronnie Jepson neither confirmed nor denied the reports.

But he did add that he was hoping to bring in another ‘six or seven new faces’ before the opening day of the season, when the Gills will travel to Cheltenham.

It has been a busy summer at Priestfield so far, with 10 players leaving and five arriving.

Jepson himself has been away on holiday but is pleased with the five new additions, starting with centre-back Simon King, who was signed for £200,000 from Barnet.

He said: ‘Andy Hess said he was a good player, the Barnet fans have said similar things and when I spoke to their manager, Paul Fairclough his words were: ‘What a player you`ve got there.’

‘I know Del (Facey). Iffy (first-team coach Onuora) knows him and we will be trying to help him play with a smile on his face again.’

He described left-back Craig Armstrong – signed from Cheltenham – as a ‘good, solid player who had an excellent season’ and winger Barry Cogan – who has also moved from Barnet – as ‘one you can take a gamble on because he’ll play anywhere across midfield or in defence.’

The fifth signing was former Swindon midfielder Aaron Brown, of who Jepson said: ‘Iffy had the lad at Swindon and spoke very highly of him. I knew he would be a good addition to our squad, but it’s nice to know others share the same opinion.’

But although there are five new boys already, Jepson knows he still has work to do and revealed that he would be meeting a number of players early next week with a view to announcing new signings later in the week.

And while optimism is high from the chairman, Jepson knows that it won’t be easy next season, adding: ‘Everyone here knows it will be another tough season but, equally, we’re all looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead.’