AS GILLINGHAM players return to pre-season training, rumours are persisting that manager Andy Hessenthaler is being considered for the vacant post at Watford.

The Gills boss, along with Steve Coppell, Wolves assistant manager John Ward, former Gills boss Peter Taylor and current Watford caretaker manager Ray Lewington are supposedly in the frame to replace Gianluca Vialli who was sacked last month.

Former Brentford boss Coppell is thought to be at the head of the Watford board’s list but he has also been linked with a job at the Football Association.

A source close to the club said that although Hessenthaler isn't thought to be among the favourites, the board at Vicarage Road are big admirers of the job he has done at Gillingham on a very limited budget. Interviews will take place over the next couple of weeks.

A recent online poll organised by a Watford newspaper saw Hessenthaler finish second behind Peter Taylor as the fans’ choice for the job. But Gills chairman Paul Scally has in the past denied there is any chance of Hessenthaler leaving Gills and would be quick to rebuff any overtures from Watford.