Gills duo waiting on new deals

GILLINGHAM have not yet offered experienced pair Andy Frampton and Deon Burton new terms.

Both players will be out of contract at the end of the month.

It was announced at the beginning of May that Burton and Frampton would be offered new deals but Gills chairman Paul Scally said: “No (they haven’t been offered deals) but only because we can’t talk to them.

“It’s not because we don’t necessarily want to but they are away and we haven’t been able to talk to them and their agents can’t answer the questions we need to ask them.”

The Gills chairman is back in the country at the weekend, with meetings planned until he returns home to Dubai on Tuesday. Progress may have been made by then.

Mr Scally said: “I had two days with (manager) Martin (Allen) out in Dubai (last week) and we worked extremely hard on a whole host of issues. He has some decisions to make on a number of issues.

“We have lots of things we are working on, people we are talking to but the problem is at this time of year people are on holiday.”

The Gills are also waiting to hear back from Joe Martin’s agent, having offered the left back a new contract.

He has reportedly attracted interest from elsewhere.

Mr Scally said: “We want him to stay and have made him a good offer. If he chooses elsewhere, then that’s his decision, it’s his prerogative.”

Another player waiting for talks is keeper Tommy Forecast.

“I haven’t even spoken to his agent,” said the Gills chairman.

“I did a lot of work on players two weeks ago and now it’s all gone quiet and I am onto other things at the minute.

“We had a good squad last season. There is not a lot to be done, just a bit of tinkering.”

Mr Scally indicated that signings may have already been made but deals are unlikely to be made public until the end of the month.

He said: “It is a quiet time and everyone is in the holiday mode. That’s not to say we haven’t done deals but nothing I can announce. It’s not fair to say anything at the moment.”

Offers have yet to come in for transfer-listed duo Charlie Lee and Adam Birchall but Jack Payne was linked this week with a move to Championship side Birmingham.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Scally said: “I have heard that Birmingham are interested in him. I have had a missed call from Birmingham but not had chance to talk to them yet.”