Chris Whelpdale is set to reject a contract offer from Gillingham and join Stevenage instead.

The midfielder played 28 games for the Gills last season and has been at the club permanently since July 2011.

He is one of two players, along with Adebayo Akinfenwa, who the Gills are awaiting news from, after offering deals.

But the 25-year-old is understood to be keen on a move to Stevenage, who last season finished bottom of League 1.

It would, however, be closer to home for the Essex-based player, who has clocked up 122 appearances for the Gills.

Whelpdale initially joined Gillingham in November 2010, on a loan spell from Peterborough. He scored three goals then, during a four-game spell, before returning to London Road. He joined the Gills the following summer on a permanent deal, along with Charlie Lee.

On Thursday, the Gills announced that Lee was one of those not being offered a new deal.