by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally insists he is "very close" to appointing a new manager.

Mr Scally (pictured) has been searching for a manager since dismissing Andy Hessenthaler from the role on May 8.

This week the club have been embroiled in court proceedings after being sued by former player Mark McCammon, for unfair dismissal, breach of contract, race victimisation and failure to pay wages.

It hasn't helped Mr Scally's plans.

Mr Scally said: "It is difficult to deal with that while I am in court. This is taking up a huge amount of my time and is taking up a huge amount of the club’s money.

"It is not hindering the process but it is hindering my announcement. I haven’t made a decision yet but I am very close."

The case at the Ashford employment tribunal is expected to conclude on Monday.

Players resume training on Thursday and Mr Scally said he hoped to have a new manager in place by then.

Should no manager be in place to take training, the Gills chairman quipped: "It would be me, I am the back-up plan."

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