Exclusive by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally believes the potential signing of Adam Birchall would be the final piece of the jigsaw.

Mr Scally has worked hard to rebuild the squad along with manager Andy Hessenthaler as they seek to win promotion from League 2 this season.

Undisclosed fees have been paid for Peterborough pair Charlie Lee and Chris Whelpdale and AFC Wimbledon’s Danny Kedwell.

The Gills have also had a bid for Dover’s prolific frontman Birchall accepted and he is due for talks with Mr Scally soon.

The Gills chairman said: “All that has happened is that the offer has been accepted by Dover and he (chairman Jim Parmenter) has given me permission to talk to him

“The club are arranging for him to come and talk to me in the next 24 hours and depending on what happens there, depends on whether he signs or not.

“We don’t really need anyone else after that. We might need another keeper as cover but I am not even sure of that as the young lad (Daren Hawkes) has done well.”

The Gills still face competition for Birchall’s signature, with both AFC Wimbledon and Swindon in the hunt for the former Barnet striker. All three clubs have had bids accepted by Dover.

Birchall attended a medical at Wimbledon on Monday morning and the 26-year-old isn’t rushing into things.

He told Dover Athletic’s website: “I want to talk properly to all three clubs and don’t want to just rush into a snap decision.

“Gillingham are obviously local to me and I wanted to talk to them. My partner is having a baby very soon so that is something I need to consider.

“It’s a big decision for me - and I want to make the right choice.”

The Gills will, at some point, have to start balancing the books acknowledges Mr Scally.

“It is never it, we are always looking for other players, but obviously we have to look at releasing some players and getting some out on loan, or out on sale,” he said.

“July is a time when you look through the players and decide who is going to best perform for you. Come August 6 (the start of the season) we will see what players aren’t going to be involved as much.”