New Dover boss Martin Hayes will not stand in the way of Nicky Southall if he wants to rejoin Gillingham.

The 38-year-old midfielder (pictured) played more than 300 games in three spells with the Gills before signing for the Whites in August 2009.

He played 27 games for Athletic as they reached the Blue Square South playoffs last season and agreed to remain at the club as player/assistant manager to Ian Hendon when the ex-Barnet boss agreed to take on the Crabble hot-seat last month.

However after Hendon's controversial departure after 18 days in the role to become number two to Andy Hessenthaler at Priestfield, Southall has again been linked with a move to rejoin his former manager and team-mate Hessenthaler at the League 2 side - despite questionmarks about whether the Gills budget will extend to another signing.

Hayes said: "I am not sure what the situation is at the moment. I understand that he perhaps has an opportunity to go to Gillingham.

"If that's the case and if he doesn't want to stay then that's fine - I don't want to work with someone who doesn't want to be here."

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