GILLINGHAM have been hit with a second transfer request in a month with Mark Saunders' demand for a move. The unsettled midfielder joined centre-back Guy Butters on the list after being dropped for Saturday's 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday. He had been recalled for the previous week's 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest and believed he had done enough to retain his place.

But was devastated when Marcus Browning returned from a one-match ban to reclaim his place. Saunders had been involved in protracted contract negotiations with chairman Paul Scally but had been unable to agree terms. His present agreement expires next summer.

Saunders, 30, who married in the summer, settled in the Ashford area with his wife and baby son but is resigned to having no future at Priestfield and reluctantly is prepared to move on. He signed from Plymouth in May, 1998 on a Bosman freePlayer-manager Manager Andy Hessenthaler said: "We cannot guarantee Mark first team football and while we don't want to lose him we cannot agree terms."

Mark Patterson could also join Butters and Saunders on the transfer list as he is having talks with Hessenthaler over his future. The 33-year-old defender lost his place to Nyron Nosworthy and has not started a match since he was injured in the home draw with Burnley on October 30.