GILLINGHAM'S Mark Saunders has been given a new contract until the end of the season. Saunders has been playing on a weekly contract.

Player-manager Andy Hessenthaler said: “Mark has signed until the end of the season and, hopefully, when that comes we can sort him out a longer-term contract.

“I’m pleased for him. He’ll be settled now for the rest of the season and it's good that he has got that bit of security he's been looking for.

“Mark has done very well. I brought him straight back into the side after his suspension because he's one of those players who wears his heart on his sleeve.”