There could still be a future at Gillingham for transfer-listed defender Adam Barrett.

Centre-half Barrett captained Gills’ first-half XI in a 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat at Ebbsfleet on Saturday, five days after learning he’s free to leave Priestfield.

It was business as usual for the 34-year-old, who remained as committed as ever in organising his team-mates.

Boss Peter Taylor included him at Stonebridge Road for fitness reasons but claims Barrett could still force his way into the side if there are no takers for the club’s League 2 title-winning skipper.

Taylor said: “He’s first class. It’s a difficult decision for anybody to say that someone like Adam can leave the club.

“While he’s here, he’ll be treated with respect and he’s got to keep his fitness going."

“But while he’s here, he’ll be treated with respect and he’s got to keep his fitness going and so on.

“I wanted him to play 45 minutes and if it means that he goes to another club, fine and if he’s here, I want him as fit as he can possibly be for selection if I want him.

“I’m sure it’s not easy for him but he is a first-class professional in every way. He’s one of our players and I’d be mad not to think about anybody if there’s a chance they could come in and do a good job.”

Taylor feels he will only be able to judge Gillingham’s pre-season campaign after their League 1 opener away to MK Dons on Saturday.

He’s still working on his team and has plenty to think about before deciding his starting XI for the trip to Stadium:MK.

Taylor said: “You never know until next Saturday if we’ve had a successful pre-season or not. The level of fitness is OK.”