Danny Jackman wants to stay at Gillingham but must wait until a new manager is in place before finding out if that is possible.

The player-of-the-year spoke about his desire to remain at Priestfield shortly before Andy Hessenthaler was relieved of his management duties.

Jackman (pictured) was signed by Hessenthaler’s predecessor Mark Stimson and after completing three successive seasons at the club – to add to the spell between 2005 and 2007 – he isn’t in any hurry to move.

"I hope to be here next year," said the 29-year-old. "The way the season started it looked as though it was going to be another frustrating year, not playing so much but you need to keep working hard and hopefully get your chance and I did.

"The previous two years were tough but to have got these awards in my third year means a lot to me."

Jackman is one of a handful of players who will be out of contract at the end of June and is free to talk with other clubs.

But he knows the Gillingham squad has the capability to achieve promotion next season.

He said: "With the squad we have got, we all know we have under-achieved and you all have to look at yourselves and ask what you could have done to improve things.

"Hopefully if we can keep the majority of the squad together, then there is no reason why we can’t get automatic promotion."