by Luke Cawdell

Matt Lawrence was one of eight players released by Gillingham at the end of the season but insists his career is far from over.

With more than 600 first team games behind him and an FA Cup final appearance on his CV, he is not short of experience.

Lawrence (pictured) said: "I am more than capable of doing the business as I proved at the beginning of the season.

"Whether that be against Brighton in the Carling Cup, where we only conceded one goal against Championship opposition, which was a penalty, or against Crawley where we went away from home and beat the team who were top of the table at the time and have gone on to be promoted.

"I don’t really think I have anything to prove in that respect. Forgetting anything I have done in the past, the things I have done this season prove I am good enough to play at least another season or two in League 2.

"If I am played in my preferred position then, of course, I feel I am more than capable. It is not going to be at Gillingham but hopefully I will get the chance somewhere else."

Lawrence was told he had no future at the Gills back in February by then manager Andy Hessenthaler.

His last game was in the live SkySports match against Southend, where he was played right-back, rather than his more favoured central role.

He was hauled off at half-time by Hessenthaler as the Gills lost 2-1 and Lawrence spent the second half of the season sitting on the sidelines.

Lawrence, who turns 38 next month, ended his two-year spell with the Gills after playing 73 games and is now taking a break before assessing his options.

He said: "I am going to keep fit, go on holiday for a few weeks and when I return at the beginning of July, that’s the time to start worrying and knuckling down.

"A lot of deals don’t get done until the back end of June and July and most clubs know your previous employers are paying you until July 30 as well so they will often wait until August 1 before signing players.

"Wherever it may be, I have another season or two left and hope I can steer clear of injuries.

"Andy Hessenthaler told me I could play until I was 40 and that hasn’t changed."

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