Gills left-back Joe Martin helped the club to another clean-sheet on Tuesday

by Luke Cawdell

Defender Joe Martin is keen to commit his long-term future to the Gills but is putting contract talks aside as the team push for promotion.

The former Blackpool man, who is out of contract in the summer, was offered a new deal toward the end of last year but no agreement has been reached.

With boss Martin Allen keen to put contract discussions with first team players on hold until the end of the season, it’s a situation that looks set to be left hanging until the summer.

Martin said: "Not too much has happened with that (a new deal) and I think we will get to the end of the season. That is when a decision will be made.

"We will see what happens and I would love to stay."

Martin has been a virtual ever-present for the Gills this season with 34 appearances to his name. It would have been more but for a broken hand which he suffered midway through the season.

"My discipline has been better this year and I have pretty much stayed clear of injuries as well," said the 23-year-old left-back.

"I am happy so far this year. The gaffer wants us to be patient and it’s working. Teams can’t break us down and we haven’t been diving in. Our defending has been brilliant.

"It has helped playing week in, week out because if you have a poor game, you can learn from it and so it does help."

Picture: Barry Goodwin