Gillingham chairman Paul Scally is closing in on a new manager.

Reports from Wales suggest Newport County boss Justin Edinburgh has now officially been approached by the Gills.

Mr Scally has spent a month searching for a new manager following the sacking of Peter Taylor on New Year’s Eve.

Edinburgh has been linked to the vacancy throughout the last four weeks and now it appears the former Tottenham defender is close to taking over at Priestfield.

The South Wales Argus reported on Tuesday that an approach has been made for the 45-year-old.

Edinburgh had recently attempted to fend off speculation linking him with the job by insisting he was staying with Newport.

He was offered a new deal at the club following links to Gillingham but never signed the contract.

Welsh side Newport, who Edinburgh took from the lower-reaches of the Football Conference to fighting for promotion in League 2, have lost their last three matches.

Edinburgh recently blamed the speculation linking him to the Gills for the club’s poor form.

Mr Scally received over 70 applications for the job in the days after Taylor’s sacking but had targets of his own. The Gills have already approach AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley but he rejected the move.

Edinburgh, who is based in Essex, could bring former Welling United no.2 Jimmy Dack as his assistant.