DARREN BYFIELD struck Gillingham’s equaliser on Saturday as speculation about the player’s future hotted up.

The Gills’ top scorer has been targeted once more by Millwall, who are hoping to tie up a loan deal for the ambitious striker.

Millwall manager David Tuttle spent last week talking up a move for the 29-year-old, who bagged his eighth goal of the season in the 1-1 draw with Tranmere at the weekend, leaving Ronnie Jepson angry at his rival manager’s handling of the situation.

The Gills boss said: "I feel it’s a bit disappointing that another manager has come out talking about other people’s players until a deal is done.

"If a deal has gone through with any of my players then fine, we’ll let the press know. But I feel it’s disappointing when another manager has come out talking about my players."

Millwall, who have already had two bids for the striker turned down this season, are desperate to solve their attacking problems and Tuttle has targeted Byfield as the man to fill the void.

He said: "We are interested in Darren Byfield. He’s one of a couple of strikers we are looking at. We hope to have another forward at the club in time for the Hull game (on Tuesday)."

Jepson is hoping the player will stay, but is resigned to the fact the club’s financial problems dictate who stays and who goes.

He said: "In the changing room there was a great togetherness (on Saturday) with Byfield and all the boys and I want to keep my team together as long as possible.

"There’s always speculation. Players have got to leave the club because of our budget, people are out of contract at the end of the season, where we possibly can’t match their wages."

Byfield is one of those out of contract and it is thought that Millwall would take the player on loan now, with a fee being paid at a later date.

Ironically, it was Byfield who levelled the scores against Tranmere with a 73rd-minute equaliser which ensured Jepson retained his unbeaten home league run.