by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham manager Martin Allen revealed that the club made an eleventh hour bid to sign striker Lee Hughes.

Hughes was released from Notts County on Monday, where he had netted 66 goals in 146 appearances, and has since agreed to sign for Gillingham’s League 2 title rivals Port Vale.

But Allen, who has worked with Hughes (pictured) in the past, was keen to bring him to Priestfield and spent Tuesday morning trying to put a deal together.

Gills’ attempts, however, were unsuccessful.

Allen said: “We were at it all morning trying to see if we could sort something out but he had his agreement already put in place with Port Vale.

“Port Vale is closer to his home and, yes we did try to get him, but it wasn’t to be and we move on.

“The chairman was set to finance it. I don’t go banging on his door about everybody, there is lots of speculation about all sorts of players at the moment, but I certainly won’t be losing any sleep over it and I don’t watch the television or pray to God we are going to get another player in.”

Port Vale announced the completion of the signing on Tuesday morning, on a deal until the end of the season, and the striker will be in their squad for the trip to Priestfield this Saturday.

Picture: Oldham Evening Chronicle

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