Young midfielder Jake Hessenthaler will be added to Gillingham’s travelling party this weekend.

The development squad member and son of former boss Andy Hessenthaler has been rewarded for his efforts over the last few weeks following a successful loan spell at Margate.

Gills boss Martin Allen took the bare minimum 18 players to Crewe for their last away game but extra players, including Hessenthaler, will be on standby this Saturday.

Allen said: “Jake Hess has done particularly well in training and he has joined our squad. We will be taking 20 players up to Shrewsbury.”

Hessenthaler may not get on the bench at the weekend but it’s a step closer to getting back into the 18-man matchday squad.

The only time he has made the squad this season was when he was an unused substitute at Coventry in mid-September. He has yet to make a first-team appearance.

Hessenthaler played six games for Margate during his spell at Hartsdown Park from mid-August to the middle of September.