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Dover chairman Jim Parmenter says he expects to have talks with Gillingham counterpart Paul Scally "later today" following fresh newspaper reports linking Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler with the vacant managerial position at Priestfield.

The reports claimed that the two chairman had been in contact over the weekend but Mr Parmenter, who brought Hessenthaler to Crabble three years ago, said: "I haven't spoken to Paul Scally but I am expecting to have talks with him later today (Monday).

"There's nothing more I can add at the moment but who knows what will happen in the murky depths of football?"

The Gills are looking for a replacement for Mark Stimson who left Priestfield last week following their relegation from League 1.

Hessenthaler was previously in charge of Gillingham from June 2000 to November 2004 and carried on playing for the Gills after he was relieved of his managerial duties.

The 44-year-old finished his Football League playing career with Barnet in 2007 and then became player-manager of Dover, where he led the club to successive Ryman League promotions before missing out on a third promotion in the Blue Square South play-offs last month.

Is Hess the right man for Gillingham? How big a blow would it be for Dover to lose their manager? Use our comments section to have your say.