FORMER Gillingham goalkeeper Mark Beeney has promised not to stand in the way should his old club want to sign outstanding teenage prodigy Andrew Drury.

Beeney, now manager of Dr Martens League neighbours Sittingbourne, allowed his 18-year-old midfielder to turn out for Gillingham Reserves on Tuesday night so player-manager Andy Hessenthaler and his coaches could assess his five-goal leading scorer.

Coach Wayne Jones said after the game: "He's got a good touch and he's good in the air. We invited him to attend training and played him in the reserves. He fitted in nicely with the way we played.”

Beeney, who has nurtured Drury through Sittingbourne’s youth ranks, believes he was below par in the game but is in no doubt regarding his potential. He said: "Gillingham are certainly interested but the club are not in a position to offer him anything at present.

"They want him to carry on training with them but unfortunately Andrew has picked up a groin injury which is keeping him from playing."