Andy Hessenthaler has ruled out making a move for former Watford striker Jason Norville.

Norville appeared for Gillingham in their Combination League reserve draw at Brighton on Wednesday night and has also featured in a number of pre-season matches throughout the summer.

Manager Hessenthaler admits, however, he has no money to offer his former team-mate.

"I have said to him there is nothing in the budget for us to take another striker," said Hessenthaler.

"We are helping to put him in the shop window and he gives us another body."

Norville limped off after just 30 minutes of the goalless draw against the Seagulls’ second string, being replaced by George Humber.

Jack Parter sliced a clearance against his own post and Gary Hart also struck a post before the interval as the Gills were put under long spells of pressure.

Jack Evans was forced to clear a header off the line in the second half and despite Luke Rooney going close to an unlikely winner late on, Brighton struck the woodwork for the third time in the dying seconds when Jake Caskey hit the bar.

The only Gills first-team players to appear were Lance Cronin, Connor Essam, Rooney and Andrew White as Hessenthaler was stuggling for numbers due to injuries.

Hessenthaler, whose son Jake came on as a second-half substitute, said: "We have probably got the youngest reserve team in history. It’s all kids."

Gills: Cronin, Evans, Essam, Davies, Parter (J Hare, 80mins), A Brown, Rooney, J Brown (J Hessenthaler, 48mins), White, Norville (Humber, 30mins), Benniman. Subs not used: Nyafli, Hawkes.

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