GILLINGHAM have confirmed that the club's senior physiotherapist, Ken Steggles, is recovering at his home in Essex after suffering a minor heart attack.

He was taken ill during the club's trip to France last month.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Gillingham were prepared to give Guy Butters away to Brighton, despite him having two years remaining on his contract. However, the move broke down when the player was unable to agree personal terms.

The news underlines the club’s financial plight as the squeeze tightened on all 24 Division 1 clubs following the loss of £2.79 million caused by the Nationwide League's High Court failure against Carlton Communications and Granada.

Brighton manager Martin Hinshelwood says he has not given up on Butters whom he has earmarked to replace Danny Cullip who is expected to join Leicester.

"We made Guy a very good offer but there were one or two other things he wanted that we couldn’t cope with,” added Hinshelwood.