GILLINGHAM'S Iffy Onuora remains uncertain about his future at Priestfield as he waits for the club to follow up their verbal offer of a new contract. Although player-manager Andy Hessenthaler has repeatedly stressed his determination to keep the striker, Onuora is unsure whether he will be back at the club next season.

His existing contract ends next month and if nothing is settled will be available on a Bosman free. Two clubs have expressed an interest. Gillingham have offered a one-year deal and there been speculation that he could be offered a job on the coaching staff.

“All I want to say at the moment is that I've have a verbal offer but I'm still waiting for something in writing,” he said. “I'm certainly not panicking and accept the problems caused by the collapse of ITV Digital have made things especially hard for clubs. I've turned everything over to my advisor Mike Walsh and hopefully something will happen soon because I don't want to leave Gillingham.”

Midfielder Mark Saunders, who has been offered a new deal, is still waiting to sign it. He has been linked with moves to newly-promoted Plymouth, his former club, and Oxford. All hinges on Hessenthaler’s budget, which chairman Paul Scally has admitted he is unable to give him because of the financial crisis caused by the ITV Digital collapse.

“I can't go to Andy with a budget because I don't know what to put in the budget,” Mr Scally said. “All league chairmen have had their hands tied behind their backs and are waiting to see what happens when the next round of talks get underway with ITV."”

Meanwhile, former Gillingham top scorer and crowd favourite Robert Taylor is still without a club after talks with Division 3 Hull City broke down. Taylor has been clubless since Wolves paid up his contract last season. Taylor's former Gillingham strike partner Carl Asaba, now with Sheffield United, has dimissed transfer speculation linking him with a move to newly promoted Brighton.