Gillingham chairman Paul Scally insists transfer-listed duo Charlie Lee and Adam Birchall are welcome to stay at Priestfield.

The pair were made available by manager Martin Allen at the end of May.

Lee made 35 appearances for the Gills last season while Birchall appeared 15 times in League 2, as he made the slow return from a career-threatening injury.

Both could now leave the Gills, if a suitable offer comes in but Mr Scally won’t be too concerned if the phone stays quiet.

Mr Scally said: “The manager has decided they are not going to be for him next season so that’s what happens.

“Having said that, if they don’t go, then they are more than welcome to stay. They need to be playing football and I don’t think the manager is sure they will be playing too much football next season.”
And the Gills chairman admitted he will be sad to see any of the League 2 title-winning team leave this summer.

He said: “They are a tremendous bunch of lads. I spent a couple of days with them in Benidorm and it was just a pleasure to be around them. They are a quiet, well-mannered bunch.
“I was impressed with every single player who was with us last season. If any players do leave, it will be with a heavy heart.”

One man who could be leaving this summer is Jack Payne, with interest from Birmingham and Peterborough.

But he too will only leave if the offer is right. And that’s fine for Gills boss Allen.

“He did well at Peterborough,” said Allen. “If he stays then that’s fine by me.”

Peterborough were reported to have had a player-plus-cash offer rejected by the Gills, with the player believed to be striker Emile Sinclair.

Posh’s director of football Barry Fry told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: “(Mr Scally) told me Jack was going to Birmingham for £750,000. I told him Birmingham haven’t got 750 pence at the moment.”